Health Hazards
Mosquito Prevention Tips
Mosquitoes can be more than a nuisance that spoil outside activities. Many carry serious diseases that may affect humans and animals. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), LaCrosse Encephalitis and West Nile Virus are diseases that can easily be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. In addition, children are often allergic to mosquito bites and when these bites become infected, a bacterial skin infection called impetigo can develop. Prevention is the most effective control for any pest problem. With mosquitoes, the key tactic is to eliminate breeding areas.
Mosquitoes can breed in just two (2) teaspoons of stagnant water (water that sits over a long period of time typically over seven (7) days). There are areas in a typical backyard can generate hundreds of mosquitoes each week. Follow these simple steps to prevent mosquitoes from reproducing:
- Discard or at least every seven (7) days, empty all containers in your yard that can hold water such as tires, bottles, flowerpot saucers, small pools, buckets, and tarps
- Keep gutters clean and in good repair
- Repair leaky outdoor faucets
- Clean and change the water in birdbaths and outside pet bowls at least twice a week
- Screen or cover any outside rain barrels
- Clean ornamental ponds and stock with Goldfish or Gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae
- Limit outdoor activities in the evening when mosquitoes are most active
- Prevent bites by wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Use a repellent containing DEET (10% or less for children; 30% or less for adults), following the manufacturer’s instructions
- To keep mosquitoes outside, make sure screens fit tightly and are not torn on windows and doors
Following these simple tips can help prevent mosquito breeding and potential bites. For more information about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, visit the North Carolina state website or contact us at 336-641-3771.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Guilford County Department of Public Health would like to provide residents with some clarifying information. Tall grass may be unsightly in residential areas, but is not a breeding areas for rodents (rats) or snakes. Rodents and snakes are natural predators and will not live in the same area. Rodents will only live in areas that are close to a food and water source. The following suggestions will help reduce or eliminate rodents near your home by reducing food sources and harborage (living) areas:
- When feeding pets outside:
- Provide enough food in the morning and evening for the pet to eat in ten minutes (always provide fresh water). Pets will adjust to this feeding schedule in a few days.
- Remove any remaining food immediately. (This will prevent any other wild animals from coming into your yard as well, such as raccoons, coyotes, opossums, etc.)
- Keep food in sealed containers in the home or basement. Rodents have an excellent sense of smell and my go inside your home looking for food.
- Do not fill bird feeders if you have seen rodents in your yard. Rodents will live close to this food source.
- Do not throw food scraps outside in your yard. This will attract rodents and other wild animals quickly.
- Keep garbage can lids on tightly and replace any cans that have holes. A rodent can fit through a hole that is the size of a quarter.
- Be aware of other possible food sources, such as fruit trees or dog droppings.
- If you choose to purchase rat poison, put it in areas that cannot be reached by children, pets or other animals. You may want to use a special tamper-resistant bait box or over the counter poisons. Guilford County does not provide poisons but can help you identify possible food or harborage sources.
Removing food sources can go a long way to help prevent rodents and other wild animals from coming into or staying in your yard. Most snakes in this area are not poisonous, but people should be very cautious around snakes. Snakes are not a public health problem, but many people are afraid of them. Leave snakes alone and they will likely leave your yard on their own.
Tall grassy areas are not breeding areas for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can breed in just two (2) teaspoons of water. The best way to be rid of a mosquito problem is to eliminate breeding sites. Here are some tips to reduce mosquito breeding sites in your yard or around your house:
- Discard all containers in your yard that can hold water such as tires, bottles, flowerpot saucers, small pools, buckets and tarps. If containers cannot be discarded, empty them at least every seven days
- Keep gutters clean and in good repair
- Repair leaky outdoor faucets
- Clean and change the water in birdbaths and outside pet bowls at least twice a week
- Screen or cover any outside rain barrels
- Clean ornamental ponds and stock with goldfish or Gambusia fish that feed on mosquito larvae
- Make sure screens on windows and doors fit tightly and are not torn. This will prevent mosquitoes from entering your home
- Prevent bites by wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors. Use a repellent containing DEET (10% or less for children; 30% or less for adults; none should be used on infants). Be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Following these simple tips can help prevent mosquito breeding areas and potential bites. Remember, tall grass does not breed mosquitoes, stagnant water is the problem breeding area.
Many neighbors complain about unsightly tall grass. First, the neighborhood could ban together and mow the lot or yard. There is no law on the books that prohibits neighbors from doing that. Just because you mow the yard once, that does not mean you will be responsible from now on or until someone buys the lot or home.
If the vacant lots or foreclosed homes are inside the city limits of Greensboro or High Point, residents can call Greensboro at 336-373-2111 or High Point at 336-883-3111 to request to have these areas mowed. These cities have the authority to mow these areas and attach fees for this service.
Call Environmental Health at 336-641-3771.