It’s National Mosquito Control Awareness Week
Summer celebrations like the 4th of July, family reunions, music concerts, and town festivals are just around the corner, but swatting away pesky mosquitoes may already be underway. In honor of their upcoming National Mosquito Control Awareness Week (June 25—July 2, 2017), the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has tips to help you declare independence from “the deadliest animal in the world.” ¹
Across the planet, mosquitoes transmit the West Nile and Zika viruses, Malaria, Yellow Fever, Dengue, and diseases that kill birds, reptiles, dogs, horses, and endangered animals. ² Closer to home, swimming pools and backyard grills are breading grounds for mosquitoes. Standing water and dark clothing are two things that attract them.
The AMCA recommends people follow the three D’s to keep mosquitoes away:
Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week
Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
Defend: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus
Download the AMCA’s Mosquito Prevention Fact Sheet Here
Watch the AMCA Update Video:
You can make your yard a mosquito-free zone by:
- Disposing of any tires — tires can breed thousands of mosquitoes
- Drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers
- Clearing roof gutters of debris
- Cleaning pet water dishes regularly
- Checking and emptying children’s toys
- Repairing leaky outdoor faucets
- Changing the water in bird baths at least once a week.
Joseph Conlon, AMCA Technical Advisor, says, “Encouraging your neighbors to also eliminate sources on their own property is critical to a community-wide control program. Mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle. If their water source is eliminated, so are their offspring.”
The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) is an international not-for-profit public service association. With 1,600 members worldwide, AMCA services are provided mainly to public agencies and their principal staff members engaged in mosquito control, mosquito research and related activities. The membership extends to 53 countries, and includes individuals and public agencies engaged in mosquito control, mosquito research and related activities. For more information on National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, please visit AMCA online at and follow AMCA on Twitter.
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