Protect yourself from West Nile virus

Protect yourself from West Nile virus (WNv)

Multiple sources have predicted that the mild Winter of 2011/2012 will result in higher insct populations this Summer 2012.

You can, proactively, reduce your risk of exposure to WNv by reducing standing pools of water (where mosquitoes like to breed).

Remember to drain water from containers, tires, wading pools, wheel barrows and other items in your yard where standing water might collect.
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Put screens on Rain Barrels, Change water regularly in Bird Baths (at least weekly).

If you have a pond, whether a small man-made water feature or a large natural pond, consider attracting or adding natural mosquito larva predators rather than larvacides and other chemicals to kill the mosquito larva.

Natural Mosquito predators include:

Gambusia Affinis (known as the Mosquito fish) - very efficient natural predator of mosquito larvae. If you consider this fish, research and ensure that this fish will not enter the eco-system as it can harm local aquatic vegetation and fish populations. This fish has been added to pools of stagnant water in various parts of the world and has been thought to reduce and/or eradicate instances of malaria.

Goldfish, Carp, Koi - will also effectively reduce mosquito larvae populations in ponds.

Dragonflies - consumes mosquitoes as adults and mosquito larvae in the larval stage
Damselflies - consumes mosquitoes as adults and mosquito larvae in the larval stage
Bats - will consume adult mosquitoes (among other flying insects), but not enough to control mosquito populations
Purple Martin - mosquitoes are thought to be only 0-3% of their diet
Frogs, Toads, and Tadpoles - larger tadpoles might consume mosquito larvae, will consume mosquitoes, but will not control mosquito populations.