Caddo Parish, LA – June and the summer months bring the yearly onslaught of mosquitoes and their bites to Caddo Parish. As June is National Mosquito Month, Caddo Parish Animal Services and Mosquito Control (ASMC) has tips to help you avoid the bites from these annoying pests. Standing water, bare skin and dark clothing are three things that attract mosquitoes.
ASMC recommends people follow the three D’s to keep mosquitoes away:
● Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week
● Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
● Defend: Properly apply an EPA-registered repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus. Reduce sites on your property where mosquitoes may develop by eliminating containers that may hold water, such as disposing of any tires – water in tires can allow thousands of mosquitoes; drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers; clearing roof gutters of debris; cleaning pet water dishes regularly; checking and emptying children’s toys; and changing the water in bird baths at least once a week.
“Encouraging your neighbors to also eliminate sources on their own property is critical to a community-wide mosquito control program,” said ASMC Director Travis Clark. “Mosquitoes require stagnant water to complete their life cycle. If their water source is eliminated, so are their offspring,” said Clark.
Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Their bites can spread diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus.
“It is important to realize that there are no vaccines for the diseases mosquitoes may carry in the United States,” said Clark. “We must be prepared to prevent mosquitoes from developing and protect ourselves when they are around through sustained safe and effective mosquito control measures and through the use of protective personal repellents.”
ASMC stresses mosquito-borne diseases do not only affect humans – they also kill countless birds, reptiles, dogs, horses and endangered species each year. Awareness of these diseases – including canine heartworm, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Western Equine Encephalitis – is another important component of mosquito control the general public must embrace.
The Parish of Caddo utilizes the Everbridge notification system to alert residents to when their neighborhood is scheduled to be treated for mosquito abatement. Citizens may sign up for notifications by visiting www.caddo.org and clicking on “Everbridge Notifications”. Citizens may also obtain larvicide to combat mosquito populations in standing water at Caddo Animal Services, located at 1500 Monty Street in Shreveport.
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