Mosquitos, in most cases, are an annoying pest whose bites have the potential to ruin a picnic or barbecue.
In some cases, however, this tiny insect can give you much more than an itchy bite.
Mosquito-borne diseases in South Australia include Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and Japanese encephalitis, among others.
An important step to protecting yourse
lf and your family is to avoid being bitten.
People should use mosquito repellents containing either DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (PMD), that have been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AT HOME
Cover up: Wear long, loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing, covering as much of the body as you can. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing like jeans.
Use repellent: Mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide and the ‘smell’ of our skin. Properly applied repellents can mask these triggers and prevent you from being bitten.
Protect your indoor space: Place mosquito-proof mesh on doors, windows, vents and chimneys, cover your sleeping areas with mosquito nets or insect screens and consider aerosols and surface sprays (but always follow instructions on the label).
Stop the breeding: Mosquitoes breed in still, fresh or salty water, and often in puddles and containers. Cover rainwater tank overflows with mosquito proof mesh, keep swimming pools well maintained, empty wading pools at the end of the day and stock ornamental pools with small native fish to eat wrigglers.
Click here for more information and tips on protecting your home.
PROTECT YOUR BABY AND TODDLER
It is important to protect babies and toddlers from the harmful diseases some mosquitoes can carry.
Follow these tips to protect your children:
- Dress them in long, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing that covers their arms and legs.
- Use mosquito-proof mesh on doors and windows so mosquitoes can’t come inside.
- Use mosquito-proof netting over prams and strollers when outside.
Click here for more tips on protecting children and guidelines for applying repellent to babies and toddlers.
