21.12 Pest and mosquito control

Flies, cockroaches, and rats

• Keep all food for people and pets in airtight containers of heavy plastic or metal, never in the open bag.
• Do not leave your pets' bowls with food in them: take them away when they finish. Clean up crumbs and spills the same day; wash dishes before bed.
• Keep trash and waste in lidded bins, outside the living space.
• Seal gaps around pipes, under doors, and in screens with tape, mesh, or steel wool.
• If you use traps or baits, put them where your pets cannot reach them, and follow the label. Rat poisons are dangerous to dogs and cats.

Mosquitoes and West Nile virus

In many parts of the U.S., health authorities detect mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus every year. Most infected people have no symptoms, but a small share develop serious neurological illness, with higher risk in people over 60 and those with chronic conditions. After rain and flooding there are more puddles, and if the power goes out you open windows: more mosquitoes.

1. Eliminate standing water every week (local health authorities): empty, scrub, turn over, cover, or throw away buckets, flowerpots, pot saucers, tires, birdbaths, toys, and cans. This includes the buckets you use for water or for the toilet: always covered.
2. EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin: DEET or picaridin; the CDC also accepts IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), PMD, and 2-undecanone. Follow the label. If you use sunscreen, put it on first.
3. Clothing: long sleeves, pants, and socks, especially at dawn and dusk.
4. Screens: repair window and door screens before summer. Without power, you will open windows: make sure they have screens.
5. Pets: keep heartworm prevention (spread by mosquitoes) up to date, per your veterinarian. Do not use human repellents on your pets without your veterinarian's direction.