The 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season brings about many safety concerns for families. Common questions usually include: Will we have enough supplies for a hurricane? Is our property safeguarded during the storm? However, research suggests a new question should come to mind after a major hurricane occurs: Is my family protected from mosquitoes?
By nature, mosquitoes consider moist areas fertile breeding grounds. After a hurricane hits South Florida, neighborhoods will see countless pools of water collected on soil, concrete, wood, etc. Flooding is inevitable. No matter the surface, mosquitoes will be comfortable laying eggs in any stagnant water.
Eggs will hatch into larvae within days. Before you know it, countless new mosquitoes will be live and active only days after a hurricane. Thankfully, these “nuisance mosquitoes” do not spread dangerous viruses to Floridians. Dangerous mosquitoes will only be prevalent “2 weeks to 2 months after a hurricane, especially in areas that did not flood but received more rainfall than usual,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The aftermath of a hurricane also brings a hefty amount of cleanup time. This suggests Floridians will be outdoors cleaning up their properties and removing any storm debris. As individuals will be outside for longer periods of time, they will need to be protected from the active mosquitoes infesting neighborhoods.
How can you protect your family while outdoors? Created by the U.S. Army over 60 years ago, DEET is still one of the most effective mosquito repellents on the market. According to WebMD, the best bug repellent is “OFF! Deep Woods,” which contains about 24% DEET and protects for an average of 5 hours.
In addition to bug repellent, make sure to wear long sleeve shirts and long, baggy pants to help protect from a pest infestation. Mosquitoes can easily bite through spandex, so aim to wear clothing made with thick fabric.
Do not let the Atlantic Hurricane Season affect your family’s health and comfort. For more information on how Manning Pest Control can rid your property of nuisance mosquitoes or potentially harmful pests, contact our team of experts for an estimate.
