1. Get Rid of Standing Water
Mosquitoes love to breed near pools and puddles of stagnant water. Since mosquitoes are the only known carriers of West Nile virus, you should limit their ability to breed and live on your property.
If you have a birdbath, empty and refill the water at least once a week, or leave it empty altogether during the hot summer months when mosquito activity is at its highest. You should also make sure that the water in your swimming pool circulates regularly. If there's water sitting in an unused pool on your property, prevent mosquito breeding by emptying it.
Check the gutters of your roof for standing water, and if you use a rubber tire for a swing, check inside its lining. Water can collect in there, and it doesn't take much standing water to create a mosquito breeding ground.
2. Be Careful at Dawn and Dusk
Be aware of mosquito activity cycles, particularly if you live in a rural area. These bloodsuckers are most active in the early morning and early evening, around and just after dawn and dusk. Take extra precautions if you're going to be outdoors during these times, or avoid outdoor activity altogether.
3. Cover Your Skin
The best way for you to prevent contracting West Nile virus is to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito. Thus, if you have to be outside, you should offer them as little skin to bite as possible, particularly during peak mosquito activity periods. Wear long sleeves and long pants, and make sure your feet are covered. Sandals are not a good choice of footwear, particularly if you're going to be trekking through wooded areas where standing water might collect.
4. Use Mosquito Repellants
If you have to leave your skin exposed, you can also help your cause by applying insect-repelling products. Experts actually recommend that you spray both your skin and your clothes with mosquito repellants, but be careful to follow the directions on the label closely. These products are, after all, toxic. You don't want to overuse them, and they're generally not recommended for young toddlers, who might put their repellant-coated hands in their mouths. Mosquito nets make a good alternative if you want to bring your toddler's playpen outside.
5. Call the Animal-Control Authorities if You See Anything Suspicious
The authorities rely on the reports of people like you to determine if there might be a West Nile virus outbreak in your area. If you see any birds that appear to be sick, or if you encounter suspicious dead birds in your environs, alert your local animal-control authorities. They will test suspicious animals to see whether West Nile virus is present and issue an alert to local residents if the virus is indeed the culprit.
