This year, south Florida has been spared the outbreaks of West Nile virus seen in the panhandle and northeast counties of the state.

However,  Broward County alone has reported two cases thus far in 2013 and the West Nile virus season is only just beginning. It’s not hard to track the annual onset of West Nile cases: It is directly related to the start of the mosquito season.

West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus. While birds are its primary victims, humans can be infected if they’re bitten by a carrier mosquito. When symptoms occur, they can be significant and even deadly, particularly for the very young and the elderly. The illness can progress from flu-like symptoms to a form of meningitis that leads to coma and even death. No vaccine or specific treatment exists for West Nile virus. The only protection is prevention, which starts with effective mosquito control.

Here are some things to do around your own home to minimize the threat of West Nile virus:

• Eliminate mosquito breeding on your property by eliminating standing water. Dump out buckets, barrels, flower pots or other containers that may accumulate rainwater or water from sprinklers. Change pet water and bird bath water every week. Empty kids’ wading pools and stand them on their sides until they’re used.
• Verify that screens on your doors and windows are intact and don’t leave screen doors standing open.
• Use a mosquito repellent approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when you go outdoors. Wear long sleeves and pants during the hours of greatest mosquito activity.
• Be aware than mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk and think about limiting outdoor activity during those periods.
• Consider pest control methods such as automatic misters that emit the natural organic mosquito insecticide pyrethrin around sunrise and sunset.
• Don’t touch dead birds found in your yard. Contact your local health department for information on safe disposal.

Haggerty Services offers pest control services to safeguard the health and comfort of Broward and Palm Beach homeowners. Ask us about more methods to minimize the risk of West Nile virus this year.

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