HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Authorities were asking Broward County residents Wednesday for help to reduce the mosquito population.
Broward County Mosquito Control manager Joseph Marhefka warned in a press release that mosquitoes can quickly become a public health issue.
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Marhefka is asking residents to follow these tips:
• Destroy or dispose of cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that can collect and hold standing water, which promotes breeding
• Repair leaky pipes
• Install screens on rain barrels and opening to water tanks or cisterns
• Empty water from boats
• Scrub and change water in vases holding flowers or cuttings twice each week, or grow cutting in sand
• Clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs
• Scrub and change water in bird baths twice weekly; empty watering area of pets and chicken daily
• Fill holes in trees with sand or mortar, or drain or spray them as required
• Stock fish pools or lily ponds with minnows, which devour mosquito larvae
Also, the best protection from mosquitoes is to avoid mosquito bites by practicing the following simple tasks:
• Keep doors and windows closed.
• Stay indoors at dusk and dawn.
• Dress in long-sleeved and light-colored clothing when in a known mosquito infested area.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET sparingly to clothing and skin.