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Fight the Bite this Mosquito Season

Mosquito season is upon us once again in our area. This year is expected to have more mosquito breeding cycles than last year due to the warm winter. The Zika virus is a major concern of many who travel to current areas in the world where the Zika virus can be found.

Here are a few tips to protect against Mosquitoes:

Protect yourself and your family around the home and when traveling.
Inspect your yard weekly and dump out standing water from potential breeding sites.
The smallest containers can contain hundreds of mosquito larvae.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control web site for any additional information about personal protection against mosquito bites and other ways you can reduce your exposure.
Use recommended mosquito spray repellents and cover your arms and legs while outdoors.

Public Works is offering the Mosquito trap program.

The traps are called GAT traps. The traps are used to attract female aedes mosquitos, who fly into them and are trapped and cannot get out. The eggs they lay in the water in the traps are also killed.

GAT traps available for sale at Public Works during office hours. Read more information on GAT Traps
Cost of the traps are approximately $35.00

If you are looking for natural methods of mosquito control as some garden plants naturally repel mosquitoes.

Rose-scented geraniums contain the natural insect repellents citronellal and geraniol—some gardeners report swishing their hands through the leaves is enough to deter mosquitoes.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), which is easy to grow from seed, contains the repellents citronellal, geraniol and geranial.
And the essential oil in catnip (Nepeta cataria), nepetalactone, was found to be about 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, researchers at Iowa State University found.
For more information on natural methods of mosquito go to: Natural Mosquito Control

Quick Links

Zika Virus Information/Resources:

Women if you are pregnant or expect to be, consult with your physician if you expect to travel to areas where mosquitos are very active with carrying diseases.
Men should be cautious as well, because diseases can be transmitted through sexual activity.

You can find more information by clicking on brochures and see more information from the Centers for Disease Control in different languages.

You can also visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mosquito for more information on what is being done locally on the Zika virus and other mosquito transmitted diseases, mosquito control and links to other agencies for information and prevention.

“Fight the Bite” of mosquitoes and enjoy your summer.