May 25, 2018, 09:52 AM by Fred Speer

With the first long holiday weekend of the summer upon us, Clark, your friendly Clark tech, would like to share some helpful tips to protect you and your family from pests – especially pesky mosquitoes.

With the first long holiday weekend of the summer upon us, Clark, your friendly Clark tech, would like to share some helpful tips to protect you and your family from pests – especially pesky mosquitoes.

While those irksomely itchy welts caused by mosquito bites are an annoyance  the health threats mosquitoes pose to people and pets are significant.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 47 states and Washington, D.C., reported West Nile virus infections in 2017. In California, more than 500 cases of West Nile virus were reported, according to a report on the California Department of Public Health website.

And of the 2,002 reported confirmed and probable cases of West Nile virus nationally, 121 people have died, including 28 in California.

With the height of mosquito season right around the corner, Clark offers the following DIY prevention tips on how you can avoid mosquito bites and better protect you and your family against mosquito-transmitted diseases:

1. Apply insect repellant containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon-eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors, and use as directed on the product label.
2. Apply repellant on top of sunscreen, and reapply it every four to six hours.
3. Minimize outside activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, though it is important to note that mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya are active throughout the day.
4. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes when outdoors.
5. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as buckets, planters, toys, kiddie pools, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers. Mosquitoes need only a half-inch of water to breed.
6. Install tight-fitting screens on windows and doors, and repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
7. Since most mosquitoes are not good flyers, using a fan on porches or patios can create a negative airflow.

In closing, as we prepare for the Memorial Day weekend, Clark Pest Control would like to take a moment and salute all of those who have served our great nation, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. May we never take them for granted, and if you see a veteran this weekend, thank them for their service to our country.

If you are concerned or have questions about mosquitoes on your property, most areas in California are serviced by local public agencies called Mosquito & Vector Control districts. You can find your M&VC district at www.mvcac.org/about/member-agencies/. For any other pest concerns you may have, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339), or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time, I’m Clark, your friendly Clark tech. Thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.