Aug. 7--It seems so simple.
Get rid of tires and open containers in yards, and you can significantly reduce human risk for La Crosse encephalitis and West Nile.
"When we remove these habitats, the population of these disease-carrying mosquitoes goes down," said Dave Geske, mosquito control officer for the La Crosse County Health Department.
"People may think it is easier to throw an old tire behind the garage, but they're not thinking about a neighbor, a child or grandchild who could get encephalitis," Geske said.
Geske said disease-carrying mosquitoes such as triseriatus and japonicus hatch their eggs in containers that hold water. The peak season for La Crosse encephalitis and West Nile is August and September.
If everyone followed five steps, Geske said, there would no encephalitis or West Nile cases. Here are those steps:
--Keep no artificial man-made habitat such as tires, containers, boats, children's wading pools and bird baths with standing water around in your environment. Dump the water. Keep containers inside. Ensure roof rain gutters drain properly. Water can accumulate on tarps. Make sure there is no standing water in your yard. If you have tree holes, fill them with cement to prevent water from building up.
--Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, and always follow the label. Use especially in late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active.
--Do not use colognes or after-shave lotions, which can attract mosquitoes. If walking through a woodland area, wear shirts with long sleeves and pants, also good protection against tick bites.
--Mosquito-proof your home. Fix window screens in disrepair. Mosquitoes are attracted to lights and heat in the home.
--Report clogged storm sewers and ditches holding water. Quiet, long-term ponded areas with 1 1/2 inches or less of water are perfect breeding places for mosquitoes
that carry encephalitis and West Nile. You can report these areas to the La Crosse County Health Department at (608) 785-9872.
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