What can people do to prevent the spread of West Nile virus?
Property owners should empty outside containers filled with water to prevent mosquito reproduction. However, regardless of the effort to eliminate or treat stagnant water, mosquitoes will continue to reproduce, which is why personal protection is so important.

Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having well-fitting screens on both windows and doors. Offer to help neighbors whose screens might be in bad shape.
Other ways to eliminate potential mosquito-breeding areas are to fill in root-ball holes from downed trees or any depression that holds water for more than a week. Consider eliminating standing water on tarps or flat roofs, and clean roof gutters and downspouts regularly.

Birdbaths and wading pools should be emptied of water once a week.
“Regardless of the effort to eliminate or treat stagnant water, mosquitoes will continue to reproduce. That is why personal protection is so important,” said Gene Johnston, director, Environmental Health, Whiteside County Health Department.

Personal Protection against West Nile virus
Using insect repellant and a little common sense are all it takes to stay safe from mosquitoes, which are typically out at dawn and dusk in summer and fall.

Mosquitoes find their human prey using a combination of sensory signals including light, shape, color, heat, movement and other by products of human activity.

If you are not properly protected, stay in your house. Consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.

When it may be appropriate to apply insect repellant
When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt and apply insect repellant that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the label instructions.

Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent is an important consideration when going outdoors.

Young children should not be allowed to apply insect repellant themselves. Parents should apply repellant on their own hands and then rub them on the child, avoiding the child’s hands as they may accidentally ingest the repellant by putting their hands in their mouth.

Do not apply repellant under clothing. If repellant is applied to clothing, the items should be washed before being worn again.

Mosquito netting can be placed over strollers if infants are taken outside at night.