Question: "How Can I Reduce My Risk from Mosquito Borne Illnesses?" Thanks. Tom
Answer: Fortunately, according to USA Today, Sunday May 24, 2015, most mosquitoes do not carry disease. The most prevalent diseases that effect humans are West Nile virus, encephalitiis, Dengue fever, malaria and chikungunya. We dog owners give preventative medication for heart worm disease, a disease very expensive to treat. West Nile is transmitted to mosquitoes after a bird eats an infected mosquito and then a mosquito feeds on the infected bird and then feeds on a human.
Steps to take to prevent bites include:
- Eliminate standing water near home or business.
- Avoid walks and other outdoor activities
- Use insect repellent
- Wear clothing with long sleeves and long pants.
Now you might be thinking, "Wow, that makes life a bit more difficult. How do I have a backyard BBQ, etc."
Your choices are to kill those mosquitoes in standing water like your koi pond, repel them from your party area or to attract mosquitoes to a location at a distance from your gathering.
To Kill Mosquitoes in Standing Water
- Mosquito Dunks use BTI, a live bacteria that's deadly to mosquito larvae, harmless to other living things.
- Mosquito Bits kill larvae, turning water in swampy areas, flower pots, etc. black. Bits are made from Corn cob granules coated in BTI/
To Attract Mosuitoes Away from Your Porch, Patio, etc.
- Oak Stump Natural Passive Mosquito Trap
- Lentek Mosquito Trap is Propane Powered Only which means you can attract mosquitoes to the back of your yard. Coverage is up to 1 Acre.
- Mosquito Magnet Independence uses propane with C cell batteries (not included) that last a season.
- Mosquito Magnet Executive Mosquito Trap, Made in USAuses propane plus has a rechargeable battery and automatically turns on when temperatures are at 50° or above. Turns off when temperature is below. More expensive but saves on propane gas.
- Koolatron electric mosquito Trap Champion attracts mosquitoes to it. If you have an electrical outlet at a distance from your home, this may be all you need for a small lot.
There are other mosquito traps that Safe Home sells like the Bite Shield Indoor or Outdoor Electric Trap that mounts on a wall. Or choose the Biteshield Indoor Flying Insect Trap that attracts mosquitoes if you add Octenol attractant. This is a photo-catalytic indoor flying insect trap that lures moths, gnats, and other household flying insects using white LED lights and mosquitoes with 4bBlue LED UV lights that react with TiO2 (titanium dioxide) emitting soft light waves TiO2 reactions also can reduce harmful microorganisms that are constantly circulating through the air. (See U of Florida Study, 1997.) So the insects dies and dehydrate in the trap.
Use of Citronella/Geraniol candles also help to repel mosquitoes from outdoor activities. Bite Shield Mosquito Repelling Candles in Ceramic Pots repel mosquitoes and add color to your tables.
Browse and make your choice. If you have questions, send us an email to sales@safehomeproducts.com or phone us at 877-358-0900 during business hours. Remember USA Today notes the top 20 mosquito ridden cities include most of the South, Texas, New England and parts of the MidWest including Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Thanks for your question.
Sincerely,
Barbara
