With temperatures slowly rising, so too will mosquito populations.
Last summer, the Winnebago County Health Department handled nearly 300 calls related to mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. With all the worry of mosquito-borne disease like West Nile, encephalitis and Zika, some residents wonder what can be done.
The health department recommends the wearing of insect repellant when going outside, as well as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and shoes and socks to prevent exposure. They also suggest avoiding time outdoors when mosquitos are most active, keeping windows and doors closed at night, and eliminating all sources of standing water where the insects breed, such as bird baths and flower pots.
