Help #FightTheBite this summer by following the "Four Ds" of mosquito prevention and by taking steps to reduce potential breeding grounds on your property.
The best mosquito-prevention efforts are rooted in education and personal protection, which begins by following the “4 Ds” listed below:
- Dress to protect: Wear long sleeves and long pants.
- Dusk, daytime and dawn: Protect yourself against mosquitoes anytime you are outside.
- Defend: Wear insect repellent with DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or an effective alternative.
- Drain standing water: Eliminate any water that stands for longer than five days or treat water with larvacide according to the label.
Also, it is important to identify and eliminate stagnant pools of water on private property, such as unused swimming pools, hot tubs, water meter boxes, bird baths, ponds, low areas, etc. This is critical when it comes to preventing breeding grounds and hatching of adult mosquitoes. Even a half-inch of water standing in the saucer of a flower pot can breed mosquitoes.
Treating or eliminating these areas, and wearing insect repellent with DEET (or an effective alternative) when outdoors will also help to minimize exposure to the diseases mosquitoes may carry.
The City is asking all residents to be aware of and remove potential mosquito breeding grounds on their own property, and to wear protective clothing and insect repellent when outside for activities. Mosquito concerns or standing water can be reported to the City online at our Mosquito Control page. To report mosquito concerns or standing water on private property by phone, please call 972-624-3160, and be sure to provide an address associated with the issue if leaving a message.