PANAMA CITY --The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reminds residents of the Florida Panhandle of the increased risk of mosquito-borne illnesses after flooding and offers tips to avoid mosquito bites.
-Repair broken screens, windows or doors to keep mosquitoes out of the house.
-Cover your skin with long-sleeved clothing and pants, and use mosquito repellant if outside.
-Stay indoors at dawn or dusk, the period of time when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
-Drain standing water where possible. That includes disposing of cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water
-Do not allow water to accumulate at the base of flower pots or in pet dishes for more than two days.
-Clean debris from rain gutters and remove any standing water under or around structures or on flat roofs. Check around faucets and air conditioner units and repair leaks or puddles that remain for several days.
-Change water in bird baths and wading pools at least once a week and stock ornamental pools with fish known to feed on mosquitoes like minnows, goldfish, guppies or mosquitofish.
-Eliminate seepage from well systems, pools and septic tanks.
-Eliminate standing water around animal watering troughs.
-Cut down weeds adjacent to home and in yards, and mow the lawn regularly.
-Protect boats with tarps that don’t accumulate water.