Norwalk Health Department Offers Tips To Avoid Mosquitoes, Prevent Bites

NORWALK, CT — The Norwalk Health Department (NHD) urges all residents to take precautions this summer to avoid mosquitoes and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.

According to a news release provided by the health department, NHD's mosquito management program aims to help our residents avoid mosquito bites and mosquito-borne illnesses through education, mosquito monitoring and source reduction.

Residents can take some simple steps to reduce mosquitoes around their home and protect themselves from getting bitten, according to the department.

To avoid getting bitten:

• Apply mosquito repellent before going outdoors.
• Cover bare skin with long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Avoid the outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Drain stagnant, standing water around your home in places like old tires, birdbaths, wading pools, garbage can lids, and even cans in recycle bins (standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes).
• Keep gutters and leaders free of debris.
• Install or repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Do not leave swimming pools uncovered without chlorinating and filtering.

NHD works with state officials who monitor the mosquito population throughout the state. The CAES monitors two mosquito trapping locations in Norwalk at Cranbury Park and Rowayton School.

See also: West Nile Virus Found In Mosquitoes Across 21 CT Towns: Health Officials

This monitoring allows NHD and state officials to gauge the local mosquito population and take appropriate prevention measures based on population estimates, according to the department.

Weekly updates of statewide mosquito testing results are available on the CAES page.

NHD contracts with an outside agency to conduct an annual larvicide program to reduce the mosquito population.

In the summer months, workers from All Habitat Inc. apply larvicide to various standing water locations and catch basins around the city. This application prevents mosquito eggs from hatching, according to the department.

This year's larvicide application was scheduled to occur Aug. 4-5.

More information about the CT DPH Mosquito Program is available here, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information about preventing mosquito bites is available here.

Further information can be found on the health department's website.