Take Precautions against mosquitos

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected in the southern section of Salem Massachusetts, near the Marblehead and Swampscott borders. In 2006, 9,344 mosquito samples were tested for WNV and forty-three samples were positive. Salem had no WNV positive mosquito samples identified in 2006.


Tips from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection include:

-- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have collected on your property.

-- Get rid of discarded tires. Stagnant water in tires is where most mosquitoes breed.

-- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.

-- Clean clogged roof gutters every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains.

-- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.

-- Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths.

-- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with mosquito-eating fish such as goldfish. Water gardens can become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.

-- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use. Be aware that mosquitoes can breed in the water.

For stagnant pools of water that cannot be eliminated or flushed out regularly, try less-toxic means of control that won't pollute water resources like some traditional pesticides. Residents can buy the microbial pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) at lawn and garden centers or home improvement stores. These products, sold under the trade names "Mosquito Dunk" and "Quick Kill Mosquito Bites," contain a naturally occurring bacterium that targets and kills mosquito larvae but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants. Remember to only use chemicals registered for mosquito larvae in water. Do not use bleach or other household chemicals.

Take precautions to prevent being bit by mosquitoes:

-- Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.

-- Reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.

-- Keep windows and doors tightly screened.

For the mosquitoes that still manage to pester people, consider using insect repellents according to the manufacturers' instructions. An effective repellent may contain different active ingredients so read the product label before purchasing. Increasingly, there are warnings about the uses of repellents containing DEET on children so it may be a good idea to use some of the effective alternatives recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Products with picaridin, soy oil and oil of lemon eucalyptus have been shown to be as effective as the lower concentrations of DEET (7 to15 percent range).

When using DEET, make sure to:

-- Apply sparingly to exposed skin and clothing using a product that contains no more that 10 to 35 percent DEET.

-- Women who are pregnant should not use DEET, and it shouldn't be applied to children under the age of 3. A product that contains no more than 10 percent DEET may be applied on older children. Avoid spraying the product directly onto children's skin, and avoid applying to hands and face.

-- Once indoors, wash all treated skin and clothing with soap and water separately from other laundry.

Garling does not recommend the use of pesticide-impregnated clothing, recently available at some outdoor clothing stores. "Sold under brand names such as "Buzz Off!" these clothes contains the pesticide active ingredient permethrin, a synthetic version of naturally occurring pyrethrins. In humans, permethrin may trigger asthma attacks, headaches, nausea and other health problems and is a possible human carcinogen," Garling explained. "Although the EPA has required testing of these products and has explained that they poses minimal risk to individuals, questions remain in my mind," Garling said. "Do people know they are buying a pesticide to wear against their skin when they buy this product? Do they know the label recommendations on the garment requiring that they wash this clothing separate from their other clothes is the law? Will they read and follow these recommendations? Also, the jury is still out on whether or not permethrin is an endocrine disruptor, so, would you put this clothing on kids? We have good insect repellents on the market so I don't see the need to take additional risks, however small, with wash and wear pesticidal clothing." Other individuals and groups have similar questions.

Body & Soul is an award-winning massage and wellness center in Salem, MA. For more information please visit bodysoulsalem.com.