Mosquitos can carry a number of diseases that can make people very ill and, in severe cases, can even cause death.
The recent floods in Victoria pose a risk of increased mosquito breeding and warm and wet weather means the mozzies are about.
The Department of Health through the Better Health Channel has launched its clever Beat the Bite campaign to raise awareness of the risk and provide details on preventative measures.
How to protect from Mosquito bites:
Your only protection against mosquitoes and the diseases they can carry is to avoid mozzie bites.
- Mozzies can bite through tight clothing. Cover up – wear long, loose-fitting clothing.
- Use mosquito repellents containing picardin or DEET on all exposed skin.
- Limit outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are about.
- Remove stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed around your home or campsite.
- On holidays make sure your accommodation is fitted with mosquito netting or screens.
- Use ’knockdown’ fly spray, mosquito coils or plug-in repellent where you gather to sit or eat outdoors.
- Don’t forget the kids – always check the insect repellent label. On babies, you might need to spray or rub repellent on their clothes instead of their skin. Avoid applying repellent to the hands of babies or young children.
You can reduce the risk of being bitten around your home by following these tips:
- Maintain fly screens on windows, doors, vents and chimneys. Screens should be no coarser than 12 x 12 meshes per 25mm, or 1.2mm.
- If mosquitoes are particularly bad, consider using a long-acting surface spray in areas where mosquitoes like to rest. Apply according to the directions on the bottle, targeting areas like the shaded shrubbery near your home. Avoid spraying these products near fish ponds.
- Use ceiling or floor fans to reduce the chance of bites in your home.
- Use ‘knockdown’ fly spray against visible mosquitoes in your home.
- Consider using plug-in mosquito ‘zappers’ or vaporisers in enclosed verandahs or mosquito-coils in outdoor areas. These should be switched off or put out as soon as the area is no longer in use.
Source and for more information, visit: Better Health Channel
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