Whenever I step into my backyard I am inundated with mosquitoes.
Even if it’s the middle of the day. The little buggers are relentless and it’s driving me insane.
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The increase in mosquitoes is partly due to the weather we’ve been having. And to my great dismay, there could be even more rain headed our way.
So, what can you do to keep the mosquitoes at bay? I found some resources and thought it could be worth sharing. Hopefully the information can help you too.
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Preventing mosquito bites
Mosquitoes aren’t just obnoxious, they also carry the risk of spreading diseases to people and animals.
“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health at MDHHS. “We urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding areas where mosquitoes are present if possible and wearing clothing to cover arms and legs to prevent bites.”
So what can you do to prevent bites? Michigan officials suggest taking the following steps:
- Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
- Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
- Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes lay eggs.
Mosquito-borne illnesses (arboviruses)
Arboviruses are a group of viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks or other arthropods. Michigan tracks the following:
Jamestown Canyon Virus (JVC)
Mosquitoes collected from Bay, Oakland and Saginaw counties tested positive for JCV this June, according to Michigan officials.
JCV sickened three Michigan residents in 2020. Most cases occur from late spring through mid-Fall. Illnesses can develop within a few days to two weeks after a bite from an infected mosquito. Most people do not become ill.
Symptoms include fever, headache and fatigue. In rare cases JVC can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord including encephalitis and meningitis.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
According to Michigan officials EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. It has a 33% fatality rate in people who become ill.
Most people who become infected do not develop any symptoms. However, the symptoms that people can experience include chills, fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain. The illness can last up to two weeks.
Fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. Less than 1% of people who are infected will develop a serious neurological illness.
In 2020, there were four human EEE cases reported. There were 41 animal EEE cases reported.
West Nile virus (WNV)
In 2020, there were 32 WNV cases reported in Michigan. None have been confirmed so far in 2021.
Most people who become infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms. When people do become ill symptoms include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Most people with that type of WNV recover completely.
Less than 1% of people infected will develop a serious neurologic illness. Symptoms include, headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures or paralysis.
Click here to view the year-end summary of arboviruses in Michigan in 2020.
Mosquitoes lay eggs in or near standing water
Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce. That’s why you should empty, scrub or cover any items that hold water.
Standing water is often found in old tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flower pot saucers or trash containers.
Mosquitoes can complete their life cycle in about a week. The CDC recommends using an outdoor insect spray made to kill adult mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are often found in dark, humid areas.
Can’t remove standing water? Larvicides are an option
If you’re unable to remove the standing water where you live then you’ve got one other option: Larvicides.
Larvicides work by killing mosquito larvae and pupae before they grow into pesky adults. According to the CDC, if you use larvicides correctly they do not harm people, pets or the environment.
Larvicides come in liquids, tablets, bits, pellets, granules and briquettes. You use them by applying them where mosquitoes lay eggs (that means anywhere that holds standing water). That can include buckets and rain barrels, fountains, gutters or downspouts, non-chlorinated swimming pools, pool covers that collect water, tires and tree holes.
Use larvicides to treat standing water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered, dumped or removed.
Click here to learn more about emerging disease issues in Michigan