West Nile Virus News

Bad report for this spring: the California Department of Public Health released the first human West Nile virus news on the 28th of April. Californians are encouraged to be very careful because the virus is easily spread to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can make some prone to encephalitis and meningitis – serious illnesses that are difficult to treat. It can also create complications for older folks with diabetes and heart conditions.

To prevent infection, the Department of Health advises everybody to keep mosquitoes at bay. This spring, that’s bound to be difficult to do, as these flying bloodsuckers are very active during this season. However, a Modesto pest control company has some effective strategies that wary Northern Californians can employ to prevent mosquitoes from spreading the West Nile virus and infecting them.

Here’s how to be more careful of the disease-carrying bloodsuckers.

1.      Make sure that there’s no standing water in your property. Mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in stagnant water so it’s best if you don’t have any around your home. After a refreshing spring rain shower, get rid of puddles using an outdoor broom for faster evaporation or absorption.

2.      Apply mosquito repellent patches or lotion on yourself whenever you head out. Anything that contains DEET works, or if you want something organic, try oil of lemon, eucalyptus or lavender.

3.      Cover up, especially when you’re going to a place where there’s a lot of vegetation. Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are very active.

4.      Load up on vitamin B. When you take more vitamin B, your body emits a scent that mosquitoes don’t like.

5.      Change your clothes right away when you’re sweaty because the scent of sweat attracts mosquitoes.

6.      Use citronella or lavender incense around your home. Mosquitoes don’t like these scents, and smoke drives the bloodsuckers away, too. If you don’t have incense, try burning sage on a clay plate — not only will it get rid of mosquitoes, but it will repel other pesky insects away as well.

7.      Invest in mosquito zappers and place these “killers” in locations where mosquitoes congregate, or around entry points of your home.

8.      Finally, scent up your home with mint and/or peppermint because these refreshing scents are repulsive to mosquitoes. It’s a great way to make your home smell nice and fresh, and at the same time make it safe from West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes.