State health officials are watching Mexico, because there are epidemics of dengue and typhoid fevers south of the border, he said. There have been some cases of those diseases along this side of the border. The officials think the fevers were brought in by infected travelers. But they warn that people should be careful not to put the repellent on children's hands or where it can irritate the eyes, nose or mouth. The best offensive against mosquitoes is to get rid of their breeding places.
Neighbors can best fight the mosquito war by joining forces.
It's going to take teaming up and going around the neighborhood to eliminate all standing water in flower pots, dog dishes, bird baths, rain gutters, anything that catches water, boats with covers, trash cans, beer cans, soda cans. City and county workers sometimes put minnows into large pools of standing water so the fish can eat the mosquito larvae. Sometimes they give bacterial mosquito doughnuts, which slow the growth of the larvae, to property owners. Some cities and counties are spraying insecticide to help control the pests. It's a spray, not a mist, and it dissipates quickly.