Items such as dog water bowls and bird baths should be emptied and refilled at least once a week. If wet areas do exist on your property, bring them to the attention of the Mosquito Commission personnel. Keeping adult mosquitoes out of your home is the second step. Make sure windows and door screens are properly fitted and holes are patched to prevent most mosquitoes from entering the house. A wide variety of repellents are available to provide relief from mosquitoes and other insects.
Most repellents contain the same active ingredient, only the percentages vary.
Sport shops generally carry the brands that contain higher percentages. The repellents are effective but caution should be used and directions followed carefully. West Nile Virus, a mosquito-borne encephalitis, was first recognized in the US, in New York City and surrounding areas in the Fall of 1999. The primary vector is a mosquito commonly found around homes. La Crosse Encephalitis, although rare in this area, is a form of encephalitis occurring almost exclusively in children.