RI DEM Announces the Start of Mosquito Testing Across the State
GoLocalProv News Team
RI DEM Announces the Start of Mosquito Testing Across the State
Starting in June every year and as part of disease monitor efforts in Rhode Island, DEM traps mosquitoes for testing by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Test results are issued weeks with special advisories as needed.
The first trapping, conducted on June 5, included 20 traps and 41 mosquito pools.
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DEM Reminding Public of Mosquito Safety
The RI DEM reminds the public to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and avoid bites, where possible. They advice the following precautions.
- Remove anything around your house and yard that collects water; just one cup of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes.
- Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage, and repair holes in window screens.
- Remove any water from unused swimming pools, wading pools, boats, planters, trash and recycling bins, tires, and anything else that collects water, and cover them.
- Change the water in birdbaths at least two times a week, and rinse out birdbaths once a week.
- Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (20-30% strength), picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol.
- Minimize outdoor activity at dawn and at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Put insect netting over strollers and playpens.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants whenever possible, particularly if you are outdoors during dawn and dusk.
West Nile Virus Detected in 2016
West Nile Virus was detected in a mosquito sample from a trap in Pawtucket in 2016.
There were two confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus in Rhode Island.