Managing Mosquitoes Carrying the Zika Virus

Feb. 22, 2016

University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences experts have offered residents advice for managing mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus.

Although there is no evidence that the virus is currently present among mosquitoes here, Floridians should be prepared in case transmission occurs.

For control of the mosquitoes most likely to be carriers of the virus – the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus – residents can take the following steps:

• Get rid of containers in your yard or outside your business, because they collect water and become perfect habitats for immature stages of these mosquito species.
• Bromeliad plants and bird baths also can house container mosquitoes. These types of mosquito habitats can be flushed with clean water weekly or treated with mosquito-specific Bti granules (Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits).
• Inspect windows and doors for holes and tears and repair them to exclude mosquitoes.
• Mosquito repellents should be used when people plan to be outdoors at the time mosquitoes are biting. The longest lasting repellents contain DEET and picaridin.

For more information, access http://bit.ly/1QTLDqO.