Massachusetts state officials have confirmed the second human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) so, as we continue to enjoy the summer nights and transition into night time practices, games and competitions remember that mosquitoes are still out and will be until the first hard frost. With that said, the North Shore Shared Public Health Services Program (NSSPHSP), a regional grant funded collaboration between eight local health departments on the North Shore (Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott), wants to share some helpful tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in order to protect you and your family from mosquito bites:
- When the weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when spending time outside.
- When spending time outside be sure to wear insect repellents. There are many options out there when shopping for insect repellents be sure to look for products that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and contain DEET, picaridin and/or IR3535. Remember to always read the label for proper application and do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
- Keep mosquitoes from coming in your home by repairing or replacing screens on windows and doors.
- Get rid of breeding grounds around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, children toys and birdbaths on a regular basis.