Part of Truly Nolen’s commitment to the homes and businesses of the areas we serve is to inform residents of potential threats to health caused by insects and rodents. Florida residents can expect to see a dramatic increase in mosquito activity. There has been a recent outbreak of Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease prevalent in India and Southeastern Asia. Recently however, the disease has infected tens of thousands of people in the Caribbean and a handful of southern states in the US, prompting the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and public health officials to issue warnings about the disease.
Although Chikungunya is rarely fatal, symptoms of the illness include high fevers in excess of 102 °F, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, conjunctivitis, and severe joint pain that typically lasting for about two weeks.
Cases of Chikungunya infection in the US are believed to be transmitted from the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which is common in warmer states like Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Although Chikungunya may be relatively new to the United States, the mosquito that transmits the disease is not. Mosquito bites may seem minor, as they usually only cause a slight rash or bump. However, mosquitoes are known to carry and transmit various viruses such as the deadly West Nile Virus, which has claimed the lives of 66 people since it was first discovered in the United States.
As a Florida resident special attention should be paid to removing conditions conducive to breeding of mosquitoes around the home and take precautions to prevent being bitten. Truly Nolen has compiled some tips to help keep you and your home protected from mosquitoes.
Mosquito Control Tips:
- Remove anything from your yard or around your home that can hold standing water such as buckets, tires, tins etc.
- Drill holes in the bottom of garbage cans and or recycling bins so they don’t accumulate water
- Keep pools clean and well chlorinated
- Remove leaves and debris from gutters so they drain properly
- Ensure all windows and doors are covered by screen enclosures
- Wear long sleeve clothing and insect repellent when outdoors
- Utilize outdoor spray and devices as needed
- Contact a pest professional if infestations persist