Preventing Mosquitoes

Mosquito Management uses the latest techniques and innovations to help prevent mosquitoes from spreading, including mosquito fish giveaways, targeted response efforts, and free inspections.

With more than 40 species of mosquitoes in the County, residents, especially those who are spending time outdoors, are asked to protect against mosquito bites as weather gets hotter and wetter. While most mosquito bites are only an annoyance, sometimes their bites can be dangerous. Preventing bites reduces the risk of being infected with a mosquito-borne disease, known as an arbovirus.

Prevent and protect

Simple steps can be taken to mitigate, or slow, the spread of mosquitoes and can make a significant impact on your home environment. The measures can also prevent mosquitoes from laying and hatching eggs. By reducing the population of mosquitos, the likelihood of being bitten is reduced.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County suggests following:

DRAIN  water from outdoor areas to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.

• Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected
• Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances, and other items not being used
• Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least twice a week
• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water

Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep them chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER  with protective clothing while outdoors and keep doors and windows closed to prevent mosquitoes from going indoors.

• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeves while outdoors when and where mosquitoes are most prevalent to discourage mosquitoes from biting
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing .5% permethrin. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin. Some sports clothing and gear come pretreated with permethrin.
• Check and repair screens on doors and windows. Keep them closed and use air conditioning when possible.

Make sure window screens are in good repair to reduce the chance of mosquitoes indoors.

Tips on using repellent

• Use insect repellent approved by the  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on exposed skin and clothing. EPA's helpful search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Follow instructions on the product label, especially if you're applying it to children.
• Apply insect repellent that contains DEET (10-30%), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone, or IR3535
• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, or onto clothing, but not under clothing
• Always follow instructions when applying insect repellent to children and do not use repellents with DEET on babies younger than 2 months or oil of lemon eucalyptus on children under 3 years old
• Avoid applying repellents to the hands of children. Adults should apply repellent first to their own hands and then transfer it to the child's skin and clothing.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on the safe use of repellant.