Jun 18, 2009 10:12 am US/Eastern
'Skeeter' Plane Sprays Hollywood, Dania Beach
HOLLYWOOD (CBS4) ―
Things should be better for Hollywood and Dania Beach residents who have been bugged by mosquitoes for the last couple of weeks.
Early Thursday morning a Broward County Mosquito Control plane sprayed the southeast portion of the county bordered by Griffin Road to the North, Washington Street to the South, East 12th Avenue to the East, and Highway 441 (State Road 7) to the West.
With all the rain South Florida has received over the last few weeks, mosquito control departments in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties have reported an increase in calls from people who want to have their neighborhoods sprayed.
Two weeks ago, the Broward County Department of Health issued an advisory warning all residents to protect themselves against mosquito born illness. Besides being annoying, mosquitoes can carry a number of diseases including West Nile Virus (a strain of encephalitis), St. Louis Encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
To avoid being bitten by the pesky little critters, health officials say avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active, normally at dusk and dawn. They also advise dressing in clothing that covers the skin, like long pants and long sleeves. But in the heat of the South Florida sun who wants to do that. So if you plan to be outside in short sleeved shirts, shorts, skirts or even a bathing suit use a bug repellent with at least a 30 percent concentration of DEET. Other effective bug sprays include picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Health officials say bug sprays with DEET should not be used on children les than two months old. Instead, infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting used over carriers.
One good way to cut down on the mosquito population in your yard is to get rid of any standing water where they lay their eggs. Clean out troughs and gutters, turn over or remove empty flower pots, beverage containers and cups. Even small amounts can breed thousands of pests. A bucket of water can accumulate between five and six thousand mosquitoes and that can terrorize a neighborhood.
Check tarps on boats, equipment or patio furniture to ensure they are not collecting water, replace water in birdbaths and pet/animal feeding dishes at least once each week, and change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once each week. Also use landscaping to eliminate standing water.
To keep them out of the house, make sure that windows remain closed or are sealed completely by screens.
If you're neighborhood is a little bugged by mosquitoes, county officials want to hear from you.
Broward (954) 765-4062
Miami-Dade (311)
Monroe (305) 292-7190
Broward residents can also register online to have their neighborhoods sprayed.
Click Here for more information.
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