Help Prevent Mosquito Breeding after Rain in Pelham

PELHAM, NY — With all the rain we've gotten recently, be sure to get rid of any standing water around your house to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your property.

Plus, if you see large areas of standing water on public property, please report it to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or by email at hweb@westchestergov.com.

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance pest; they can spread disease, such as West Nile Virus or Zika Virus. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or near water, and their offspring "grow up" in water before emerging as adults that fly and bite.

Many types of mosquitoes, including those that can spread disease, can lay their eggs in even the smallest amounts of standing water around the home such as in bottle caps!

So drain even the smallest items — toys that are lying around the yard with just a few drops of water on the surface have enough for mosquito larvae. Also drain flowerpots, birdbaths, and discarded tires.

“The recent rain provides optimal breeding conditions for mosquitoes that can carry viruses," said Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, in a recent press release. "I urge all residents to remove standing water from their property, ensure their window screens are tight-fitting and free of tears and to use repellents appropriately to avoid mosquito bites when spending time outdoors here or when they travel.”

In addition, follow these tips from the county to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your property:

• Remove standing water around your home. After it rains, walk around and look for toys, flower pots or similar water-holding containers that should be overturned or put away to avoid collecting water.
• Cover outdoor trash containers and drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers left outdoors.
• Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs.
• Drain water in bird baths, plant pots and drip trays twice a week.
• Sweep driveways of puddles after it rains.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use and drain water that collects in pool covers.

To reduce your risk of mosquito bites:

• Use insect repellent or avoid the outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening when mosquitoes are active and feeding.
• Be sure to follow the instructions on the label. Adults can apply insect repellents with up to 30 percent DEET on infants over two months of age by applying the product to their own hands and then rubbing their hands on their children. Products containing DEET are not recommended for use on children under two months of age.
• Wash treated skin when mosquito exposure has ended.
• Wear protective clothing, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks when outdoors and at times when mosquitoes are active.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

To learn more about the Zika virus visit the New York State Department of Health website or call the Zika Information line at 1-888-364-4723.