Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Outdoor tips for avoiding West Nile virus


TORONTO, May 22 /CNW/ - The warmer weather is here, a time for getting
active and enjoying the outdoors. It's now also a time to be ready for West
Nile virus (WNv). Here are some tips from experts on how you can enjoy the
spring and summer seasons while you avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Outdoor Activity Tips

In addition to wearing an insect repellent that contains DEET when you
are active outside from dusk to dawn, you should also:

- Cover up! Wear long-sleeves, socks, closed shoes and a hat.

- Wear light-coloured clothing since mosquitoes are attracted to darker
colours.

- Add bug hats and bug jackets to your list of outdoor gear, if you are a
serious camper or hiker.

- Tuck in pant legs in your socks and wear elastics on the wrists of your
shirt to prevent insects from entering.

- Use a bug tarp shelter when camping to avoid biting insects. A bug tarp
is a light, portable screened shelter that provides good protection.

- Ensure your tent is in good repair and won't let biting insects like
mosquitoes in while you are sleeping.

Gardening Tips

- Wear loose, light-colored clothing when gardening - especially between
dusk and dawn.

- Clear out undergrowth and humus that collects under trees like
evergreens.

- Don't leave pots or saucers outside to collect water, and empty those
that do each day.

- Make sure to turn over your compost pile every few days.

- Prune hedges and shrubs to let in lots of light - dense or weedy areas
can be a mosquito-breeding haven.

- Sparsely plant your garden around where you spend time sitting or
eating, rather than having them in a more bushy concentration.

- Ensure your reflecting pool has a bubbler or fountain installed -
mosquitoes breed in still or stagnant water.

- Make sure, if you have a pond, that it is deep enough to hold fish,
which will eat the mosquito larvae and clean the pond.

- Change the water a minimum of once a week, if you have a birdbath.

- Cover rain barrels with a tight-fitting screen and stir up the water in
the barrel every few days.

- Think about screening in your porch or gazebo to offer a bug-proof area
to enjoy the summer.

For further information, check out: http://www.HealthyOntario.com.