Encephalitis symptoms appear five to 15 days following the bite of an infected mosquito. Sustained fever above 103 F Severe headaches Muscle aches and pain, disorientation, neurological ticks and tremors, or blurred vision Nausea and vomiting Simple Yard Tips to Help Keep Mosquitoes Away From Dr. Jonathan Day, Medical Entomologist and Professor, University of Florida While standing water is where most mosquitoes lay their eggs, it is the adult mosquito that carries the encephalitis virus. Only in very rare cases is the St. Louis encephalitis virus passed from infected females to their eggs. This is why it is important to maintain yards to help reduce the number of adult mosquitoes, which may be carrying the virus. Here are some simple tips to help reduce the number of mosquitoes resting in your yard.
Mosquitoes like to rest in tall grass.
Keep your grass cut short. Keep your tree branches, hedges and bushes trimmed from a ground level to height of 12 inches. The more shade you have - the more mosquitoes will be attracted to rest in your yard. Drill drainage holes in the bottom of tire swings to eliminate standing water that serves as an excellent mosquito breeding habitat. Empty it, clean it, and store it when not in use.