If you’re itching for relief from mosquitoes contact the Code Compliance Division of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department at 774-4500.
Code Compliance Inspectors assigned to vector have been taking the necessary steps to try to control the adult mosquito population throughout El Paso County. Before the summer rains, inspectors treated mosquito-breeding sites with pesticides and minnows.
In light of the recent rainstorms, inspectors have aggressively treating locations where water from the recent rainstorms collect, such as the river, reservoir, and culverts.
A common mosquito-control method is fogging, which has taken place countywide and is ongoing. The Code Compliance Division has seven trucks that are equipped with fogging machines.
The City’s mosquito control efforts include surveillance. So far this year, two groups of mosquitoes that were trapped outside the El Paso city limits have tested positive for the West Nile virus. Both were trapped near Tornillo in late July.
Our citizens can help prevent the spread of mosquitoes by getting rid of standing water that located outside their homes and businesses. Remember, mosquitoes can breed in even small amounts of water.
Other prevention measures shared include: making sure your roof gutters drain properly, keeping the vegetation in your yard trim, and keeping swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated even if they are not being used.
ADDITIONAL TIPS
How to protect yourself
- Try to stay indoors during dusk and dawn. During warm-weather months mosquitoes are more active at dusk and dawn.
- Cover up by wearing shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors for long periods of time or during hours when mosquitoes are most active.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET. On children 2 to 12 years use an insect repellent that contains 10 percent or less DEET. Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth so try not to apply them to the hands of children. For adults use products that contain no more than 35 percent DEET. Do not use DEET on infants or pregnant women. Some people may be allergic to products that contain DEET.
How to prevent mosquito breeding
- Look around the outside of your house and get rid of any tin cans, jars, plastic containers, plant pots, old tires and any other containers that can hold stagnant water.
- Properly dispose of old tires.
- Make sure roof gutters drain properly.
- Keep all swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated even if they are not being used.
- Remove any standing water from culverts.
- Store plastic wading pools, buckets, barrels and wheelbarrows upside down so that the water cannot accumulate in them.
- Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least once a week.
- Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
- Weeds, tall grass and shrubbery provide an outdoor home for mosquitoes, so keep your yard trimmed.
- Use landscape as a way to prevent accumulation of stagnant water.
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