New Jersey Residents are fighting the good fight against Mosquitoes!

If you are from New Jersey I am sure you have notices that the Mosquito activity has seemed excessive over the past few weeks.  I thought it was just me when I was out on Friday showing houses to a client and each time we approached the front door we were hit with a swarm of Mosquitoes.

This continued all weekend long as I took my Dog Bella for a walk; it seems like everywhere I turn there is more and more annoying and possibly deadly Mosquitoes.

The state departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health  and Senior Services (DHSS) are urging state residents to take precautions to  protect themselves from mosquito-borne West Nile virus by taking some  simple steps to reduce populations of the insect on their own  properties.

Concerns are  elevated this year because many areas of the state are still wet as a  result of excessive rainfall, severe flooding (Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee) and higher than normal temperatures at the moment as summer comes to an end. Wet areas serve as breeding  grounds for mosquitoes and home owners are advised to take some precautions in hopes of limiting exposure.

Trust me I am not any kind of insect expert; but here are some things that you can try to help yourself and your family avoid these annoying and potentially dangerous insects.

• Buy insect repellent and use to protect areas of the body that have the most exposure.
• Limit Outdoor Exposure (if possible)
• Wear Protective Clothing
• Try non toxic chemical treatment Garlic Mosquito Barrier (I hear it’s pretty good) it’s a very strong liquid garlic made from very potent garliccloves.
• If outdoors for a longer period of time try to utilize those smoke repellents; some say they help limit the amount of Mosquitoes that swarm the area.
• Try Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets, from what I hear if you wipe and go it does serve as a repellent to Mosquitoes.
• Remove still water from garbage can lids or flower pots.
• Clean clogged roof gutters; because leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains and often time gets overlooked but can produce millions of  mosquitoes each season.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being  used. Be aware  mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on top of pool covers.

Those are just some ideas to help deal with this problem; from what I read the Mosquito problem should be around till mid October so these precautions are not just for today or tomorrow but for weeks ahead. I also found these numbers if anyone feels that there problem is a little more severe than usual.

If you have problems controlling mosquitoes, contact your county mosquito control agency by calling 888-666-5968.

For more DEP information visit: www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito

Visit the State Department of Health and Senior Services: www.state.nj.us/health/cd/westnile