Property Maintenance

Maintenance workers are crucial to the prevention of mosquito breeding around the property, but managers and parks departments need to assure workers that a few simple precautions can reduce their risk of exposure to West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water, which hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly around the property, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place. Here are some things you can do:

• Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, clogged rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, equipment and cans.
• Check for items that might hold water including wheelbarrows, leaky air conditioner hoses, pool covers, tarps, plastic garden sheeting, and trash.
• Use mosquitofish or mosquito dunks to prevent mosquito larvae from growing in small areas of standing water. Use BTI for larger bodies of water. 
  See supplies page for more information.
• Well-maintained swimming pools and spas are not a hazard since pool chemicals kill any larvae. The main concern is stagnant water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs undisturbed.

Personal Protection:

• Avoid mosquitoes at dawn and dusk when the bugs are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors.
• Apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Follow directions carefully.
  Click here to learn more about DEET.

There is no evidence that a person can get West Nile virus from handling live or dead infected birds. Persons should avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animal.

You can safely dispose of dead birds by picking them up with gloved hands or with a shovel, double bagging them in plastic bags, and disposing of them in the trash.