Maritime Provinces To Clean Up Mosquito Breeding Grounds

Saturday, May 17, is Maritime Mosquito Control Day, an opportunity for Nova Scotians and other Maritimers to reduce the number of mosquitoes in their own backyards.

"We want to encourage people to think about mosquitoes in a new way," said Dr. Maureen Baikie, associate medical officer of health. "We protect ourselves from the sun in the summer, and now we need to do what we can to protect ourselves from mosquito bites."

West Nile virus infection is caused by a bite from a mosquito that carries the virus. While most infected people will have no symptoms, it is possible for the virus to cause serious illness. The risk of West Nile virus to Nova Scotians is low -- no known human cases have been identified.

Only about half of the province's 27 types of mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus. Some of these mosquitoes pass the virus from one bird to another. Others bite people.

Several types of mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water -- water that has been sitting for more than seven days in old tires, birdbaths, wheelbarrows, puddles and other places around homes.

Experts say it is important to reduce these breeding grounds because mosquitoes will continue to lay eggs all summer, making a single discarded tire the source of thousands of mosquitoes.

People can eliminate mosquito breeding grounds on their property by:

• Changing the water in birdbaths at least weekly during most of the summer, every four days when the weather is especially hot.
• Emptying water twice weekly from wheelbarrows, children's toys, pet bowls, wading pools and other items that hold water.
• Doing a yard check after every rainfall, dumping water from tarps on pools and boats, covers on barbecues, saucers under potted plants and other places where water collects.
• Turning over wheel barrows and wading pools when not in use.
• Removing unused items, like tires, from yards.
• Drilling holes in the bottom of tire swings and outdoor containers so water can drain out.
• Screening rain barrels.
• Cleaning or repairing eaves where clogs can trap water.
• Preventing and repairing ruts in driveways.
• Eliminating sources of water that are not needed and changing the water regularly on those that are.

In addition to reducing breeding grounds by removing standing water, Nova Scotians can protect themselves from mosquito bites by: -- Screening windows and staying indoors when mosquitoes are most active -- in the evening and early morning. -- Wearing light coloured, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, pants and hats when practical. -- Using insect repellant containing DEET (according to manufacturer's instructions, which vary according to age).

Mosquitoes can be controlled by pesticide use, but Nova Scotia will not use pesticides without careful risk analysis of many factors including risk to human health.

For more information on West Nile virus, visit the Department of Health Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/health . Health-related questions can be answered by calling 1-800-430-9557 during regular office hours.

For information on standing water and mosquito control, call the Department of Environment and Labour at 1-877-9ENVIRO during regular office hours.