By Cindy Mulla, Beach Mosquito Control District
Do you want to make the most of your valuable time outdoors enjoying your favorite activities, making special memories with friends and family, or just reconnecting with our local areas’ beautiful natural surroundings? Then don’t let the annoying buzzing and biting of the pesky female mosquito ruin your special time outdoors.
What can you do? Follow the top three quick simple solutions to improve and enhance your relaxation time outdoors.
Before you head out the door to explore, put on your protective invisible shield.
Wear insect repellent! Remember to always read the label, follow the directions, and reapply. Personal protection is up to the individual. Remember Repellent = Responsibility. Protect your dogs and cats against heartworm. Visit your veterinarian annually and never skip prescribed prevention treatments. Equestrians, keep your horses up to date with vaccines to protect them against Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus.
Make a splash and make a huge difference! Take a quick tour of your property and look for items that are holding, or may in the future, hold water. Now is the time to make that SPLASH! Dump/drain the item(s). If you can remove the source permanently or relocate it to a covered protected area away from the rain and sprinkling systems, do so. You may need to store it upside down. While you’re at it, unclog those rain gutters. These items that hold water create the perfect place for female mosquitoes to lay eggs. Larvae/pupae will emerge as adults and fly away to become those annoying pestiferous adult mosquitoes.
Local citizens, business owners, and visitors don’t be shy! We don’t bite, only the mosquitoes do! Contact your local mosquito control district to assist you when pesky mosquito populations get out of control or standing water on or around your property lingers too long. We encourage you to contact us. It helps us do our job more efficiently, effectively, and in a way that’s environmentally friendly. Our inspection and treatment services are paid for by your tax dollars. Panama City Beach residents, business owners, and visitors contact Beach Mosquito Control District for all your mosquito concerns at (850) 233-5030 or visit our website www.pcbeachmosquito.org.
By following these three simple steps you are keeping Panama City Beach healthy and preventing mosquito-borne disease from spreading in our local area. Remember to pack your repellent if traveling near and far or abroad. We don’t want you bringing back unwanted souvenirs.
Have a safe spring and a fun summer!
