Mosquito Bite Treatment And Prevention

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance and mosquito bites can be downright dangerous. Nobody wants to find a mosquito hiding in places they least expect to find them.

Just about every house is equipped with rain gutters. They hang there below the roof eaves, just waiting for rain to fall so they can collect the water and direct it away from the walls and foundation of your house. You probably don’t think about them very often…unless you don’t have a gutter protection system installed.

Then you have to clean out the gutters now and then-sometimes two to four times per year. If your gutters were properly installed, they were sloped so that the water that comes in would run to and down the downspout.

After a rain, the water runs out and the moisture remaining on the surface dries out. Often the gutter system includes some form of gutter protection system.

What does that mean? It means gutter guards, gutter covers, gutter screens, or gutter filters that prevent leaves, pine needles, twigs, tree flowers, seeds, seed pods, and other debris from collecting there.

However, if you have no protection system, or if some sections of the covers or screens have become dislodged or damaged, some (or maybe a lot) of debris has been getting into your gutters. Once there it may pile up and stay there, until you get up on a ladder, or hire someone else to get up on a ladder, and clean all of that stuff out.

So what? Well, a level of organic debris, whether shallow or the entire depth of the rain gutter, is an invitation for various kinds of things to move in and make it home. If you were aware of the presence of these unintended houseguests, you might decide you don’t want them living there with you. If you have debris it can form a little dam inside the rain gutter. After the rainstorm is over this little dam allows a small pool of water to remain standing there.

A pool of still water, whether small or large, is exactly what mosquitoes are looking for.

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, or they can be dangerous. Those nasty female mosquitoes that want to suck your blood need the nutrients in blood in order to produce eggs, which they lay on the surface of standing water. Each one will lay several hundred eggs. The eggs hatch in 24 to 48 hours into mosquito “wigglers.” They swim around for 7 to 10 days, turn into pupae, which then hatch into new mosquitoes, and there you are, in the yard below, just waiting to be bitten.

That crop of mosquitoes will probably not be very welcome at your evening yard party. In addition, they can be dangerous. Mosquitoes are carriers of many kinds of diseases. Malaria is one of the most infamous, although this problem has been practically eliminated in the U.S. However, West Nile Virus (WNV) has been a recent concern. Birds often carry the virus. Mosquitoes bite birds and get infected. Mosquitoes then bite humans and infect us, and we get sick.

In 2007, the CDC reported 3,630 cases of human WNV in the U.S. Of those who got sick, 123 died. That doesn’t sound like a terrible problem-unless you or a loved one was one of the 123. Moreover, no one knows what disease mosquitoes will cause us to share next.

Another group of flying pests who might decide your rain gutter is just the home they have been looking for are the various kinds of bees, wasps, and hornets. If you don’t know they are there, it can be a real surprise when you go to clean out the debris later. They think you are trying to invade their home (which you are) and they don’t understand that they have already invaded your home. Their way of telling you to go away is to sting you. Did you ever see someone try to run when they were standing on top of a ladder? Not a pretty sight-nor is it a very safe one if you are the person on the ladder.

In addition to the flying pests, other living things may take up residence. If the rain gutters are full of debris and water, some of the water is going to spill over, possibly wetting down the fascia board behind the gutter, or the wall of your house or foundation. This moist surface could be the perfect place for fungus, mold, mildew, or moss to start growing. The long-term presence of moisture and basic life forms like lichen (a kind of fungus) causes granite rock to gradually break down. Imagine what a permanent layer of moisture and growing stuff can do to your paint, siding, and foundation.

Clean out the rain gutters and install an effective protection system on your house.   Review the options at GutterSupply.com and decide what kind of system will work best for you then get to work, or call a contractor to get this project going.

By: Sock Woodruf Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Sock Woodruff is founder and partner of GutterSupply.com, the leading manufacturer and distributor of gutter supplies, gutter machines, gutter covers, and related tools and equipment.

A bit of light relief. watch this funny video about how to get rid of mosquitoes

Permaculture Reflections: Nature’s Mosquito Control

Bullrush and Cattail should be planted around ponds, and these ponds can be used to control mosquito larvae by stocking them with the Mosquito Fish (Gambusia affins) and guppies. These fish can eat thousands of mosquito larvae

Mosquito control funded in final budget

Public outcry put pressure on commissioners to restore the county’s mosquito control program, which had all of its funding cut by the commission during budget discussions in May. Last month, commissioners promised to look for funding 

Chemical and Bacteriological Mosquito Control: Stop Mosquitoes

As homeowners have learned the hard way, mosquitoes can put a damper on the most ardent outdoor barbecue, even to the point of forcing the festivities indoors.

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Have you heard about the West Nile virus that come from mosquitoes? If not, then the following article might be important reading because it could help you prevent yourself from catching a serious disease that can lead to death.

Serious Infection From A Mosquito bite

Although most people bitten by Southwest Georgia’s ever-present mosquitoes don’t become sick, each year some residents aren’t so lucky.

“Unfortunately, every year around this time, we begin seeing cases of West Nile virus, which is a potentially dangerous mosquito-borne illness for which we have no vaccine,” said Southwest Health District Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. “Only a few years ago, we had a death in the district attributed to West Nile virus.”

Last year, eight human cases of West Nile virus were confirmed in Georgia, including cases in Dougherty, Lee and Mitchell counties, she said.

Almost 29,000 people in the United States have been reported with West Nile virus disease since 1999, and of those 11,760 have been seriously ill and more than 1,100 have died.

“Traditionally, West Nile Virus incidences peak in August, and that’s right around the corner,” Grant said. “We know mosquitoes infected with West Nile breed here, which is why we recommend to residents of Southwest Georgia that they wear repellent and take other steps to avoid being bitten. At this time of year it is especially important not to drop your guard.”

Around 80 percent of those infected with West Nile show no symptoms; while up to 20 percent have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a rash, she said.

“The older you are, the more likely that you could get severely ill if you get infected. People who have received an organ transplant are also at higher risk for severe disease,” Grant said. “Young children and people with compromised immune systems are also at increased risk. One out of roughly 150 infected with West Nile virus develop serious symptoms.”

There is no vaccine available for West Nile virus, she said.

“There is also no specific treatment. People with severe cases are hospitalized and receive supportive care such as intravenous fluids and respiratory treatment,” Grant said. “The best protection is to avoid getting bitten.”

Ways to reduce the risk include:

• Avoid outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active—at dawn and dusk

• Cover exposed skin if you must be outside

• Use insect repellent with active ingredients such as DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus or picaridin

• Drain standing water

• Repair screens

Carolyn Maschke Published Friday, July 24, 2009  http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/news/2009/jul/24/single-mosquito-bite-can-cause-infection/

For more information about West Nile Virus, go online to www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org. Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov.

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Here’s the latest news on mosquito borne diseases in North carolina

So if you live in that area it is wise to take adequate precautions …

The Beaufort County Health Department is urging people to take additional precautions to prevent mosquito bites after a sentinel chicken tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and two horses had to be euthanized because of EEE.

Spraying to help control mosquito populations is continuing across the county. Areas are being prioritized by locations that are seeing the greatest activity.

EEE is a rare disease. The viral illness, transmitted by some species of mosquitoes, attacks the central nervous system, causes inflammation of the brain and can be fatal to animals and humans. Wild birds serve as reservoirs for the virus. Mosquitoes bite the birds and then can transmit the virus to humans and animals.

North Carolina averages about one human case of EEE and about 10 equine cases each year. About fifty percent of human EEE cases are fatal, with young children and the elderly most at risk.

Symptoms include rapid onset of fever and headache and can resemble a case of the flu. Survivors of EEE infections may suffer from long-term effects to the nervous system.

The health department says the best defense for people against EEE infection is to avoid mosquito bites. Reduce time spent outdoors, particularly in early morning and early evening hours when mosquitoes are most active; wear light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts; and apply mosquito repellent.

Source:  http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/51626842.html

Eastern Equine Encephalitis found in Norfolk mosquito pool

NORFOLK The city’s public health department reported today the first Norfolk mosquito pool this season to test positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Officials also said they plan to conduct fogging operations

E E E reported in Baldwin County chicken

Eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird. Occasionally, when bird hosts are scarce, the same mosquitoes will take blood from mammals, including humans 

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

A viral infection that is transmitted to humans, horses, other domestic animals (including dogs and pigs), and wild birds through the bite of an infected mosquito.

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Remember the good old days before water parks and expensive resorts when your family used to go on picnics? In these hard economic times, why not go back to these simpler, more relaxed days by taking your family on a picnic? In this article we’ll help you figure out everything you’ll need to make your picnic an occasion that your entire family will remember.

First, let’s talk about the picnic basket. Think about where you’re going to hold your picnic. Will you be able to park nearby? Will you have to walk or hike a distance to get there. If you’re going to be able to park near your picnic table, a traditional wicker picnic basket will work. However, if you’re going to have to walk to your picnic area, you might want to consider a picnic backpack. Picnic backpacks are very light and have plenty of room to carry all your supplies.

One of the things I really like about carrying a fully stocked picnic basket is that it’s environmentally sound alternative to bringing paper cups, paper plates and plastic silverware. Modern picnic baskets and picnic backpacks include all the amenities you’ll need to make your picnic a success. You can get a picnic basket or backpack that’s complete with glasses, silverware, plates, salt and pepper shakers, napkins, a table cloth and even a cheese knife and cutting board.

Next you’ll need to decide whether you’re going to cook on your picnic or bring a selection of sandwiches and snacks. If you want to cook, make sure the park you’re going to has grills to use or bring a portable grill of your own. Today you can even get portable gas grills if you don’t want to mess with charcoal and charcoal starter. Whether you cook on gas or charcoal you’re going to need a set of quality barbecue tools.

I hope you agree with me that a picnic is an money saving alternative to a day at the local resort. Give it a try and I think you and you’re entire family will be glad you did.

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Are you trying to put some spice into your relationship? Are you looking for something exciting to do with your sweetie this spring? If you answered yes to either of these questions, I have an interesting idea that I know you’ll like. Take her hiking. Once you try it, you’ll have a fun new hobby for life.

First you’ll want to think about where you’d like to go hiking. You can choose a nice flat trail and make it more like a leisurely walk or you can pick a hilly area and make it into excellent exercise. National and State Parks make outstanding hiking places. Every state has them and you can learn all about them on the world wide web. Many places have nature preserves and wildlife refuges too. Here you can hike and have a chance to see plants and animals that you wouldn’t see near your home. Make sure you take your physical condition into consideration when choosing your place to go hiking because if you don’t, you could end up turning a romantic hike into a major nightmare.

Next you’ll want to think about clothing and equipment. I’d suggest that you avoid tight clothing and shorts. There are usually thorny plants on the trails and poison ivy is everywhere. You certainly don’t want to hurt yourself or get posion ivy. You will also want to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes. I’d suggest that you invest in a quality pair of hiking shoes because they’ll be better for you than sneakers.

You also want to decide what to carry in your picnic backpack. You’re going to need to take a food break some time during your hike and modern picnic backpacks come with amenities like lightweight plates, tumblers and silverware. If you have one you won’t have to worry about throwing away of paper products. This is good for you and part of living a green lifestyle. As for food, my favorites are high carb foods like granola, fruit and nut mixes and sandwiches to help keep your energy level high. Hiking and the Atkins Diet usually don’t mix. Regardless of your choice of food, make sure you bring plenty of water because no matter how clear the stream you’re hiking by looks, the water may not be safe to drink.

Now you’re ready to go on your hike. I hope you enjoy yourself and find romance. At worst, it’s another hobby for you to enjoy with your sweetie and at best, it might help save your relationship.

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