South Florida residents urged to protect themselves from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses during mosquito season

Weston, Florida – With mosquito season continuing across South Florida, residents are being reminded that a few simple steps can reduce their chances of being bitten and help limit the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Protection starts around the home. Mosquitoes need water to reproduce, and eliminating places where water collects is one of the easiest ways residents can reduce mosquito activity.

It does not take much water to create a potential breeding site. Some mosquitoes can lay eggs in extremely small amounts, including water that has collected inside something as small as a bottle cap.

Residents are encouraged to regularly check their homes, patios and yards for standing water. Plant pots and their saucers should be kept dry, while buckets, children’s toys and birdbaths should be inspected for water that may have collected after rain or sprinkler use.

Certain plants can also hold water. Bromeliads and other water-holding plants should be flushed with a hose once a week to prevent them from becoming places where mosquitoes can reproduce.

Other objects that collect rain or sprinkler water should be emptied or discarded. Pet water bowls should be cleaned twice each week.

Attention should also be given to the home itself. Torn window screens can provide an easy way for mosquitoes to get inside. Residents should inspect screens around their houses and patios and keep windows and doors closed when possible.

Personal protection becomes especially important when spending time outside.

On nights when mosquitoes are particularly active, people are advised to wear shoes and socks along with long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Applying insect repellent containing DEET or another approved ingredient to skin and clothing can provide additional protection.

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Those precautions can help lower the risk of illnesses spread by mosquitoes, including dengue.

Dengue is a viral illness transmitted when a person is bitten by an infected Aedes mosquito. The mosquitoes capable of spreading dengue are present in Florida.

Symptoms do not always appear immediately after a bite. They can develop between three and 14 days after exposure to an infected mosquito.

Possible signs include a sudden fever, severe headache and pain behind the eyes. People may also experience muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bleeding.

Dengue symptoms usually last between four and seven days. Some symptoms can resemble influenza or other viral illnesses, which can make the infection difficult to recognize based on symptoms alone.

Most people who become sick with dengue eventually recover. However, the disease can become severe in rare cases and may require prompt medical treatment.

Anyone experiencing symptoms associated with dengue should contact a health care provider, particularly after traveling to an area where dengue is known to be circulating or following possible mosquito exposure.

Reducing the risk of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases comes back to two basic actions — avoiding mosquito bites and removing the places mosquitoes use to breed.

Broward County residents who are dealing with mosquito problems can also request assistance from Mosquito Control.

Service requests can be made by calling 311 or 954-765-4062. Residents can also submit a request through Broward County’s online mosquito service system.

Another way to remember the basic prevention steps is the “Tip Toss Treat” approach.

Residents should tip containers regularly to remove water that has accumulated inside them. Items that are no longer needed and can collect water should be tossed away.

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For water that cannot be emptied or covered, residents can use an appropriate larvicide. Any treatment should be applied according to the directions on the product label.

Mosquito prevention does not necessarily require major changes. Regularly walking around a property and checking places where water may collect can remove potential breeding sites before they become a problem.

Combining those efforts with protective clothing, insect repellent and properly maintained window screens can further reduce the chances of mosquito bites.

As South Florida’s mosquito season continues, taking these precautions can help residents protect themselves and their families while also reducing mosquito breeding around their neighborhoods and communities.