April showers bring May flowers and… summer mosquitoes!

A reminder from the Media Borough Health Department asking residents and business owners to take a few simple steps to reduce mosquito breeding.  Mosquitoes develop in standing water that lasts for more than four days.

• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers.  Mosquitoes lay eggs in and near water.
• Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
• Drill holes in the bottom of trash/recycle containers that are left outdoors.
• For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• Use larvicides to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
• If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools even if the pool is not being used.   

If you need additional information on this or any health related topics please contact Media Borough Office at 610-566-9496 or visit http://www.westnile.state.pa.us ; www.cdc.gov  or www.mediaborough.com