[disclaim]This is a sponsored post on behalf of RISE and the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. All opinions are my own.[/disclaim]
I’m sure you’ve heard about mosquitoes and the Zika virus in the news lately. It can feel like a very scary thing, but prevention is the key. RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) is focused on creating healthy places were we all live, work, and play.
Our worlds are all interconnected, so the best approach to prevent diseases like Zika is a team approach involving all of us, the community, public health, and professionals.
It’s important to understand the life cycle of a mosquito so they don’t make your home their own. They go through four stages during their life:
- Stage 1: Egg hatches when it is exposed to water
- Stage 2: Larva is a small “wriggler” that lives in the water
- Stage 3: Pupa is larger than larva, still in the water, but it does not feed
- Stage 4: Adult leaves the water and is soon able to fly
A mosquito can live up to two weeks, sometimes even up to one month under certain conditions such as the eggs surviving in dry conditions.
Professional applicators and vector officials are licensed to apply pesticides for mosquito control for the public health. We have city trucks that go through neighborhoods spraying very late at night or early mornings to help with this. Our local university also keeps mosquito traps in parks and around town to test local mosquitoes for West Nile and other diseases.
Another common treatment is larvae mosquito treatment which is applied directly to water sources to stop the larvae from ever turning into the flying, biting adult mosquitoes.
Do your part to protect your family and your community. There are 4 easy steps to control mosquitoes where you live.
- Put up personal barriers.
- Reinforce your home.
- Apply mosquito-specific defenses.
- Eliminate standing water.
At our last home, we had a bird bath. Unfortunately, that is the perfect place for mosquitoes lay their eggs, so we drilled a hole in the bottom so that it would easily drain and not leave standing water.
Make sure you are using an EPA-approved insect repellent that is proven to work. They play a important role in protecting us. Even in the day time, I use a combination of both sunscreen and insect repellent on all of us. I love that some of the brands now have a spray that does both in just one step.
If you’re pregnant or you are thinking about getting pregnant, both you and your significant other need to take important steps from using insect repellent to mosquito prevention, and even more. A growing number of ob/gyn physicians are advising patients to use contraception and abstain from unprotected sex if traveling to countries where Zika is prevalent. Even when returning home, it’s important to be conscious of this with your partner if you’re thinking of growing your family.
When the community works together in controlling mosquitoes everywhere from playgrounds to the backyard barbecue, it helps all of us stay safe and healthy.
Got questions about how you can prevent mosquitoes? Check out Debug the Myths!
We are having a Twitter party to talk about all things #AtoZika! Come join us and you could win!
What are your tips for mosquito prevention?
17 comments
This Zika virus is very scary. I’ve always been one of those people put bug spray on the now I’m even more than before. We will be going to vacation next week so I’m going to make sure I have more spray.
This sounds like a really interesting Twitter party. The whole Zika thing is pretty scary to me.
Mosquito are one of the things I hate the most about the warm weather. I’m all about using products to keep them off and away. As far away as possible.
Zika is such a scary thing right now!! Love these tips for protection, so important to do.
Ugh. This terrifies me. We just moved into a new house and we have a major mosquito problem in our back yard.
These are great ways to protect families when it comes to mosquito bites. These sound like great products.
I think bug spray is a must around here. The bugs get so bad it sucks. My girls are always outdoors too, so this is something they have to have.
I need to get some of these especially that my daughter is allergic to mosquito bites. Thanks for the recommendation.
I have always made sure we use bug spray. It is getting to dangerous not to use one.I will have to give Bull Frog a try
Zika Virus is so scary right now! Especially since I live in the land of ALL THE MOSQUITOS. Ugh. I definitely need to beef up on the bug spray this year.
I have always been prone to getting bit by mosquitos especially when I would go camping. I make sure to always apply insect repellent throughout the day and also use insect repellent candles in the areas outside will people will be sitting.
I’m currently pregnant and terrified. Thank you for this post, it is a very scary time. Great tips, I will definitely protect my self and home better.
The Zika virus is really scary. And among the three of us, I am the only one who gets bug bites all the time and I don’t know why. Got to get me that bug spray.
We live in Florida where there have been a few cases of Zika so I’ve been super vigilant. I love the Family Care Off because it’s grease-free.
I really appreciate that you’ve taken the time to write this post. It’s such a relevant topic that everyone should be educated on. Thank you!
This virus sounds really scary. Good to have some ways to reduce the risk for your whole family.
I need to stock up on supplies l!!! That zirka virus scares me!