West Nile Precautions for Your Labor Day

West Nile Virus has made its way back into the news for 2012.  After a few years of laying low, health officials have warned that the virus is once again on the rise. Reports state that four times the usual number of cases for this time of year have been identified.  As of August 27, the AJC reported that Georgia had seen 21 cases of West Nile so far, which is only 1 case away from the 22 total that were reported in 2011.

Labor Day weekend is often spent outdoors enjoying the last little bit of summer.  If you and your loved ones are going to be outdoors for the holiday, we urge you to take steps to keep the mosquitoes away.

Steps for keeping away mosquitoes/West Nile:

• Apply DEET, or any other EPA approved product that repels mosquitoes.
• Get rid of any standing water.  These areas of standing water will be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and needs to be drained or removed.
• Use a bug zapper.
• Mosquitoes are active all day but the species that carry West Nile are most active at dusk and dawn.
• Use citronella candles.
• Wear waistbands or bracelets that have repellants built in or that can be clipped on.
• Wear loose, long sleeve pants and shirts when possible.
• Use screens on open doors and windows.

If you are bitten and start to experience symptoms like dizziness or fever, contact your physician.

Happy Labor Day to all from Northwest Exterminating!