UF recommends precautions to limit mosquito bites

October 5, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida encourages students, employees and visitors to take some basic precautions to limit exposure to mosquitoes that can carry illnesses.

The Alachua County Health Department reports that the risk of transmission of West Nile Virus from mosquitos has increased. Several sentinel chickens and a horse recently have tested positive for the virus.

Health officials recommend:

* Wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long-sleeves.

* Apply mosquito repellent with 30 percent DEET or other EPA-approved repellants to bare skin and clothing, but not under clothing.

* Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.

* Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.

* Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.

* Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

* Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

* Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

For more information, go to the UF Student Health Care Center website at http://shcc.ufl.edu/.