Board of Health

Avoiding Mosquito Bites

Steps residents can take to help avoid mosquito bites and reduce mosquito populations around homes and neighborhoods.

Limit your time outdoors during peak periods of mosquito activity (dusk and dawn) or, if you must remain outdoors, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants.
Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus may also be considered. Products with permethrin should only be used on clothing. Always follow the directions on the label. Repellents should not be used on children younger than two months of age. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
Take special care to cover up the arms and legs of children playing outdoors. When you bring a baby outdoors, cover the baby’s carriage or playpen with mosquito netting.
Fix any holes in your screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.
Remove any standing water around your home that is available for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes will begin to breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days. Make sure water does not collect and stagnate in ceramic pots, trash cans, recycling containers, old tires, wading pools, bird baths, etc. Remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of roof gutters.

Please take all precautions when enjoying outdoor recreation, especially during the late afternoon and evening hours. Use mosquito spray containing DEET. Try to stay away from heavy growth areas, and keep your body covered as much as possible. For further information, please call the Mosquito Contol office at 978-463-6630, or visit the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.

Mosquito Control Program Information

Most people are not expected to experience any adverse health effects after pesticide spraying for adult mosquito control. This includes pregnant women and unborn children. If a person has any concerns, the Board of Health may be contacted to request that spraying be excluded from the specific property. Those people who had asked to be on that list in prior years remain on the list unless notified otherwise. Any person who would like their property excluded from spraying, call the Mosquito Control office at: 978-463-6630.

Ground sprays do not pose an unreasonable risk to birds or mammals. Since spraying is done in the late evening, the bees and other flying insects are not foraging at that hour and will not be affected. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Mosquito Control office.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

EEE is maintained in nature through a cycle between the Culiseta Melanura mosquito and birds that live in freshwater swamps. Although Culiseta Melanura do not bite humans, some will “cross bite” – bite an infected bird and then bite a human or animal (horse, emu, and other exotic birds) – thereby spreading the disease. These mosquitoes are also known as bridge vectors, a species that transmits a disease from one host to another. These bridge vectors may take a meal from a bird and later take another meal from a mammal.

Symptoms usually occur within 2-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, headache, confusion, and lethargy. Encephalitis, swelling of the brain, is the most dangerous symptom.

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus: The primary mosquito carrier of WNV usually breeds in artificial containers such as catch basins, storm water structures, industrial parks and commercial or agricultural livestock facilities. Regularly empty any water-holding containers on your property such as garbage cans, flower pots, swimming pool covers, watering troughs and birdbaths, and dispose of old tires.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information

Department of Public Health website: http://www.mass.gov/dph/
Arbovirus Information website: http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm

Merrimac Board of Health
2 School Street
Merrimac, MA 01860
978-346-4066
boh@townofmerrimac.com

posted: July 14, 2007 | revised: Sunday, June 15, 2008