Suffolk Officials Remind Residents to Eliminate Standing Water to Reduce Mosquitoes

As the official beginning of summer approaches, Commissioner of Health Services James Tomarken urges residents to take action throughout the season to reduce their chances of being bitten by mosquitoes that breed around their homes.

 “Mosquitoes can transmit infections such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus,” said Dr. Tomarken, “The best and least expensive way for residents to combat these and other mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent them by taking precautions.”

Dr. Tomarken suggests that residents check their yards for containers that may be filled by rain or sprinkler systems. Remove or discard outdoor items that you don’t want and maintain the ones you do want.  Areas where water may collect:

• Old tires
• Tarps and buckets
• Low spots in your yard
• Unused swimming pools
• Toys that hold water
• Bases of flowerpots
• Watering cans
• Pet dishes
• Rain gutters should be kept clean
• Standing water on flat roofs
• The area around faucets and air conditioning units
• Boats and cargo trailers

Keep mosquitoes from breeding in bird baths, pet water dishes and plastic wading pools by emptying them and scrubbing the sides to remove eggs at least every three days.

For more information on mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, visit http://ow.ly/lw4JE