by Marlene Stalker, El Paso Master Gardener
Mosquito conducive conditions,
Credit: NYSIPM Gallery
(CC-BY-2.0)
Mosquito-transmitted diseases are on our radar now more than ever. The bite of an infected mosquito can spread West Nile virus, chikungunya, dengue, and Zika. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s “Mosquito Safari” is an interactive audio-visual website that takes you around a house and neighborhood to learn where mosquitoes will breed so they can be eliminated. The website also discusses mosquito-borne diseases and how to control them.
Below, there are links to fact sheets from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to answer some of the more common Zika questions. Read them to learn how to protect yourself from mosquitoes and prevent the spreading of disease.
- Buzz Off! 4 Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites – A short reminder of the 4-Ds, the four ways to avoid mosquito bites. A quick safety reminder.
- What Texans Need to Know about Zika Virus – General information about Zika, what causes it, whether you should be worried, and how to stop it.
- Zika Precautions for Women – A new publication outlining the most important steps women can take to protect themselves and their unborn children from Zika.
- DIY Backyard Mosquito Control – An overview of all the mosquito control options available to consumers, including hiring a professional. Advantages and disadvantages of each option are listed, including what we know and don’t know about the many products out there. (Spoiler alert: don’t buy bug zappers for mosquito control–they don’t kill many mosquitoes)
- Mosquito Safari – Resources (Repellent advice and videos on control)