Just because Hurricane Irma is now a mere storm cloud doesn’t mean that Alabama residents are completely safe, says the Alabama Department of Public Safety. Unfortunately, the danger doesn’t come in the form of rain and strong winds, but mosquitoes.
These pesky bugs thrive in warm and damp environments, which are all over Alabama now that the flooding from the Hurricane has subsided. Pockets of puddles are everywhere, and they are tracking in more bugs that carry potentially dangerous diseases like West Nile Virus and Zika.
So while the 2014 Houzz Spring Landscaping Trends study reports that 83% of respondents would consider their backyard an ideal entertaining space, chances are this is different during this early fall season in Alabama.
Instead, according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, the bugs are taking over and many Alabamians aren’t aware of the threat they pose.
As reported on Waff.com, mosquitoes are the most active late in the evening and at night, and many don’t know they’re being bit until after they go inside. But the mosquitoes that carry the deadly Zika virus are most active during the day, so the ADPS urges everyone to be as diligent as they can until the water levels go down.
So how can someone keep an eye out for mosquitoes while still enjoying their time outside? Here are some tips:
- Always use bug repellent, such as DEET of Off! brand.
- Clean clogged and dirty gutters after every storm and once a month at the very least.
- Get rid of any standing water around the home, as this is where mosquitoes breed. This includes flowerpots, buckets, child pools, and old tires.
- Where loose-fitting shirts, long pants, and tall socks.
It is important to realize that even though prevention is key when it comes to mosquito-borne illnesses, it is also important to recognize signs that mean someone needs medical attention right away. The ADPH warns that anyone with a fever, redness and unusual swelling to the bite, headaches, and/or a headache should go to a doctor right away.
