It’s Mosquito Awareness Week… While generally a nuisance, mosquitoes can carry dangerous diseases such as West Nile virus and encephalitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly 300,000 Americans have been sickened with West Nile Virus since it arrived in the U.S. 11 years ago. Whether from the unseasonably warm spring or wet conditions, mosquitoes are out in full force. Here are a few simple strategies for mosquito control: 1. DRAIN. Regularly check yards and neighborhoods for water-holding containers, and empty them out. It can take less than a week for mosquitoes to develop in standing water. Reduce standing water to eliminate mosquito threats, including those in children’s sandboxes, wagons or plastic toys; underneath and around downspouts, in plant saucers and dog bowls. Other hot spots include tarps, gutters, and flat roofs. 2. CLEAN-UP. Remove excess grass, leaves, firewood and clippings from yards. 3. DRESS. Wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. 4. REMOVE TARPS. If tarps stretched over firewood piles, boats or sports equipment and grills aren’t taut, they’re holding water. 5. TREAT. Utilize a mosquito elimination barrier treatment around the home and yard. Using a barrier treatment at home reduces the need for using DEET-containing bug spray on the body. Mosquito-Man can eliminate up to 90{4330296d1b26de6ab6119b44ca467d5bb33025dcd75f9ca0ec0f91e2908cdac6} of the mosquitoes and ticks on your property. 6. TIMING. When possible, avoid prolonged outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. #mosquitoawarenessweek #mosquitoman