Favourable weather conditions, clogged drains, empty containers left around that collect rain water — these are among the reasons why the Aedes mosquitos get to breed easily and cause the dreaded dengue fever to spread. It’s difficult to control the breeding grounds of these killer insects when they’re outside our homes or in neighbouring houses/parks. Hence it’s all the more important to protect your family members for getting bitten by them.

Whatever it takes, do it!

As we live in the tropics and the weather conditions are close to perfect for mosquitoes to thrive and flourish, our Ministry Of Health (MOH) has given us adequate information to make responsible citizens out of us. It has become almost second nature for all of us to know the necessary steps and procedures to take to try and diminish the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes. As a reminder though, here are the recommended actions to be carried out to rid our surroundings of Aedes breeding places.

• Store away empty containers and cans. Do not leave any of these items outdoors, for they may accumulate rainwater. Take note that stagnant water serves as the best breeding place for aedes mosquitoes.
• Change the water in your plant pot plates regularly. Remember too, that you should also wash and clean the plates so as to eradicate mosquito eggs, or you might end up replenishing them with just the thing they need — clean water!
• Loosen the soil from potted plants. It’s highly possible for water to accumulate on the surface of hardened soil.
• Change the water in vases.
• Every other day, you should change the water in flower vases. Scrub and clean the inside of these vases too. Add the right amount of larvicides to keep mosquitoes from breeding in them.
• Apply larvicides regularly.
• Apply them into gully traps, and roof gutters too, even though they are dry.
• Check drains for blockages.
• Clean all the drains in and around your home and remove all leaves, garbage, etc, for they can cause blockages and will eventually result in water becoming stagnant.

Protect from bites

No matter how much precaution is taken to eradicate the breeding grounds of the aedes mosquito, there is nothing stopping surviving mosquitoes from biting unsuspecting victims.

These tiny insects may even be lurking around your home at this very moment without you noticing them! To avoid getting bitten, here are some suggestions:

• Cover up. Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants and socks while outdoors to prevent mosquito bites.
• Netting is the word! Place mosquito nettings on all doors and windows of your home. This will, at some level, help keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Stay indoors at certain times. Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk. The aedes mosquitoes are known to bite at these times, so limit the amount of time you spend outdoors during these hours. If you are outside, be sure to wear repellent and protective clothing.
• Use mosquito coils/electric repellents. These emit a continuous form of protection in your home and minimizes the risk of mosquitoes bites.
• Use a repellent on exposed skin. This is also an effective way to safeguard against mosquitoes. There are many good brands of mosquito repellent in the market which are safe and pleasant to use. Many are also safe for babies and little children too.

Repel those nasty biters.

When choosing and using a mosquito repellent, consider the following.

• Type of application. Mosquito repellents come in various forms. There are sprays, roll-ons, stick-on patches, and creams to choose from. Pick what you think will work best for your family.
• Ingredients. Mind the ingredients used in your chosen mosquito repellent and make sure that there is nothing in it that a family member can be allergic to.
• Instructions of use. Even the safest of products require that you read and follow the instructions carefully for the best results.
• Reapply as needed. Even the best of mosquito repellents will wear out in terms of potency, so reapplication will definitely be a necessity at some point. Read the label for instructions on re-application.

Support your local community mosquito control programs

Mosquito control activities are often held at the local level, such as in a housing park’s council or community hall. The type of mosquito control methods used by a program depends on the time of year, the type of mosquitoes to be controlled, and the habitats where the mosquitoes live. Methods can include eliminating mosquito larval habitats, applying insecticides to kill mosquito larvae, or spraying insecticides around the homes at certain times. Check with your local housing community for more information.