Page 102 - issue
P. 102
ZAPPING ZIKA and eliminated upon merely entering my
vicinity. So, as much as I love Sukkos, I
(above photo) The Ziika virus is Aby Yehuda Mond, M.D. didn’t particularly look forward to
named after the Ziika forest, where s we prepare to enter our encountering mosquitoes.
it was first found. The Ziika forest is sukkas and face the great out-
in Uganda, right next to Entebbe of doors, let me tell you a dark But I must admit that I miss the good
“Operation Entebbe” fame. secret about myself: I can’t old days, when a mosquito bite would
stand mosquitoes. Ever since entail nothing more than an innocent
early childhood, I’ve adopted welt that would itch for a few days. You
that annoying insect as my might rub on some Calamine lotion
nemesis, to be hunted down (which never worked), and it would even-
tually disappear. However, the past
decade has thrown a “disease du jour” at
us on an almost-yearly basis. Here in the
U.S., we’ve had to fear chikungunya
(which sounds like a dish you’d order at
an exotic restaurant), West Nile virus,
dengue, swine flu, and the panic-inducing
Ebola. Baruch Hashem, most mosquito-
borne diseases, such as malaria, yellow
fever, and other serious illnesses, are not
a concern in our region, but many of the
above diseases are transmissible by mos-
quitoes.
This year, of course, we’ve been intro-
duced to the Zika virus. The Zika virus is
transmitted by the Aedes mosquito
species, which is the tiger-striped mosqui-
to most common in “Balmore.” Although
TIPS FROM QUEEN B cide, but they will not bite. We suggest skipping the urge to
PEST SERVICES spray it directly on your skin like perfume. Rather, spray it
on your hands and rub in on the parts of your body with
THERE ARE MANY THINGS you can do to control the thin skin. Use a DEET repellant that has at least 30% con-
mosquito population in your yard. The easiest way to centration. If you do get bitten, resist the urge to scratch.
remember the steps you can take at home is the five Ds: The inflammation from scratching the bite will just draw
Dress, Dawn and Dusk, DEET, Drain, and Do hire a pro- more mosquitoes to your skin!
fessional.
DRAIN (source reduction): This is one of the most impor-
DRESS: long pants and long sleeves is the best attire to tant steps to prevent mosquitoes. Any empty containers –
keep these pests at bay. They cannot penetrate clothing as big as a pool or as small as a bottle cap – could collect
that has a tight weave, like athletic apparel, and dark col- water and need attention. Drilling holes in the bottom of
ors are less attractive to them. Using netting for your baby trashcans is a good idea too. Always keep your lawn and
stroller is a great trick to protect your child. Follow this link bushes trimmed properly. Clean your gutters. Fill in any
for an inexpensive and effective net: low-lying areas in your yard. Keep windows and screen
https://www.amazon.com/Dreambaby-L204-Insect- doors in working order. Especially, make sure there are no
Netting/dp/B002FQKB4M?th=1. old tires in your yard. Repair any outdoor faucets that
leak.
DAWN AND DUSK: Since the wind dies down during
sunrise and sunset, it allows for more mosquito activity. Lastly, Do hire a professional: Professional treatment,
Scheduling outdoor activity that is not during peak times coupled with your efforts at home, is the best treatment
will limit your exposure to mosquitoes. If you must be out- plan for mosquitoes.
side, one of the many tools you can use is a fan.
DEET: Mosquitoes will land on you if you apply this pesti-
98 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
vicinity. So, as much as I love Sukkos, I
(above photo) The Ziika virus is Aby Yehuda Mond, M.D. didn’t particularly look forward to
named after the Ziika forest, where s we prepare to enter our encountering mosquitoes.
it was first found. The Ziika forest is sukkas and face the great out-
in Uganda, right next to Entebbe of doors, let me tell you a dark But I must admit that I miss the good
“Operation Entebbe” fame. secret about myself: I can’t old days, when a mosquito bite would
stand mosquitoes. Ever since entail nothing more than an innocent
early childhood, I’ve adopted welt that would itch for a few days. You
that annoying insect as my might rub on some Calamine lotion
nemesis, to be hunted down (which never worked), and it would even-
tually disappear. However, the past
decade has thrown a “disease du jour” at
us on an almost-yearly basis. Here in the
U.S., we’ve had to fear chikungunya
(which sounds like a dish you’d order at
an exotic restaurant), West Nile virus,
dengue, swine flu, and the panic-inducing
Ebola. Baruch Hashem, most mosquito-
borne diseases, such as malaria, yellow
fever, and other serious illnesses, are not
a concern in our region, but many of the
above diseases are transmissible by mos-
quitoes.
This year, of course, we’ve been intro-
duced to the Zika virus. The Zika virus is
transmitted by the Aedes mosquito
species, which is the tiger-striped mosqui-
to most common in “Balmore.” Although
TIPS FROM QUEEN B cide, but they will not bite. We suggest skipping the urge to
PEST SERVICES spray it directly on your skin like perfume. Rather, spray it
on your hands and rub in on the parts of your body with
THERE ARE MANY THINGS you can do to control the thin skin. Use a DEET repellant that has at least 30% con-
mosquito population in your yard. The easiest way to centration. If you do get bitten, resist the urge to scratch.
remember the steps you can take at home is the five Ds: The inflammation from scratching the bite will just draw
Dress, Dawn and Dusk, DEET, Drain, and Do hire a pro- more mosquitoes to your skin!
fessional.
DRAIN (source reduction): This is one of the most impor-
DRESS: long pants and long sleeves is the best attire to tant steps to prevent mosquitoes. Any empty containers –
keep these pests at bay. They cannot penetrate clothing as big as a pool or as small as a bottle cap – could collect
that has a tight weave, like athletic apparel, and dark col- water and need attention. Drilling holes in the bottom of
ors are less attractive to them. Using netting for your baby trashcans is a good idea too. Always keep your lawn and
stroller is a great trick to protect your child. Follow this link bushes trimmed properly. Clean your gutters. Fill in any
for an inexpensive and effective net: low-lying areas in your yard. Keep windows and screen
https://www.amazon.com/Dreambaby-L204-Insect- doors in working order. Especially, make sure there are no
Netting/dp/B002FQKB4M?th=1. old tires in your yard. Repair any outdoor faucets that
leak.
DAWN AND DUSK: Since the wind dies down during
sunrise and sunset, it allows for more mosquito activity. Lastly, Do hire a professional: Professional treatment,
Scheduling outdoor activity that is not during peak times coupled with your efforts at home, is the best treatment
will limit your exposure to mosquitoes. If you must be out- plan for mosquitoes.
side, one of the many tools you can use is a fan.
DEET: Mosquitoes will land on you if you apply this pesti-
98 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
