The 4th of July is coming up! Outdoor grilling and watching fireworks on a picnic blanket or from lawn chairs are some old time favorites for most families celebrating Independence Day. But are you prepared for the mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are more than just pesky little critters that annoy us in the back yard on a summer evening. They can be downright dangerous. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say that the bite from mosquitoes can cause such illnesses as West Nile Virus and Dengue fever. This is why during the summer months it’s important to take needed steps to keep kids safe from mosquito bites.

Check for Standing Water
Mosquitoes need water in which to lay their eggs. Check around your property to see if you are creating “mosquito breeding stations” by leaving standing water in outdoor toys, old tires, buckets or other containers. An inch of standing water is all that’s needed for the egg-laying process.

Laying over 300 eggs at one time, the female will lay eggs up to three different times during their short lifetime. That adds up to a lot of new little pests being hatched. Mosquito control can begin with these steps.

Time Outdoor Activities
Since mosquitoes are most active at dawn and right at dusk, it’s best to avoid being out of doors during those periods of time.

Use Repellants
Using an insect repellant such as DEET is another way to protect your children. Repellants come in several different forms:

Each form will have the concentration percentage listed on the label. For instance, a 5% concentration will remain effective for about 90 minutes, while a 10% concentration lasts for over three hours. This will allow the consumer to choose the right concentration for the activity (whether it’s a backyard cookout or an overnight campout).

Apply Repellents Correctly
An adult should spray their own hands and then rub the repellant on the child’s exposed skin. Don’t overlook the tops of the feet and behind the knees. Never spray the hands of a small child because they have a tendency to place their hands in their mouth. Also never spray directly on a child’s face and never use on infants.

Summer is a special time when many hours are spent outdoors. By taking a few precautionary steps the mosquito problems can be minimized and safety can be maximized.

If you have questions about mosquitoes – or any other pests – contact us at Connor’s.