Ten tips to avoid West Nile virus

Camping Magazine, Sept-Oct, 2003

The following are ten tips to avoid mosquito bites and infection of West Nile virus from Dr. Kimberly Thompson, a specialist in risk analysis at the Harvard School of Public Health:

1. Make sure doors and windows have tight fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

2. Use mosquito repellants on exposed skin whenever you are in an area where mosquitoes may be present. Repellants provide extra protection individuals need when exposed to mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects.

3. Eliminate standing water, including clogged gutters, pool covers, empty wheelbarrows, and pools of water. Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated. Be sure to remove used tires, which are a common haven for mosquito breeding.

4. Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.

5. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and closed shoes.

6. Treat small ponds with larvacide and consider stocking larger ponds with larva eating fish as additional control.

7. Proactively use pest control strategies and products.

8. Beware of the times mosquitoes are most active; typically at dusk and dawn, April through October, and avoid prime mosquito locations including marshes and wetlands.

9. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. If not in use, keep covered.

10. Learn more about your community's mosquito control program. If local elected officials have not implemented a mosquito control program, advice about pest control products for consumers and local governments is available at westnilevirusfacts.org and hsph.harvard.edu/mosquito/.