Mosquito activity is at its highest peak due to the rainy and humid weather in our area. Fort Bend County Health & Human Services reminds residents to take the appropriate steps to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding.
To protect yourself from mosquito bites, exercise the “4D’s”:
- DUSK/DAWN are the times of day you should try to stay indoors. This is when infected mosquitoes are most active.
- DRESS in long sleeves and pants when you are outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent.
- DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent. Follow label instructions, and always wear repellent when outdoors. Reapply as you would with sunscreen, after sweating and swimming.
- DRAIN standing water in your backyard and neighborhood – old tires, flowerpots, and clogged rain gutters. These are mosquito-breeding sites.
To reduce mosquito breeding around your home, at least once a week empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that may hold water. Mosquitoes prefer stagnant water and by removing the standing water, mosquitoes will not lay eggs that will eventually hatch into mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes carry many diseases such as Zika, West Nile, and Chikungunya; take the steps to protect yourself and your family. “Mosquito control is everyone’s responsibility. We can all do our part to prevent mosquito breeding in and around our homes,” said Dr. M. desVignes-Kendrick, Local Health Authority and Director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services.
Fort Bend County Road & Bridge and Health & Human Services departments actively monitor and control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.