As if flooding isn’t bad enough in the Austin County area, mother nature has another wrench to throw in the works of our daily lives:  Mosquitoes!   Mosquitoes need water to breed and they now have plenty of it.  The City Of Sealy will be spraying for mosquitos on Tuesday, June 7th, throughout the City of Sealy city limits.  With that in mind, here are some precautions to take when public spraying for mosquitoes is happening:

  • Know the spray schedule — pay attention to the local news, radio and newspapers for announcements about spraying.
  • Remain indoors when pesticides are sprayed in your immediate area.
  • Keep children inside during spraying and for at least one hour after spraying ends.
  • Do not let children play near or behind truck-mounted pesticide applicators.
  • Close windows and doors before spraying begins.
  • Window-unit air conditioners should be turned off or set to “recirculate” mode so outside air does not come into the house during the spraying. Leave them off for at least one hour after spraying ends, or continue to operate on the recirculate setting for an hour.
  • If you must remain outside during spraying, avoid getting spray in your eyes or on your skin.
  • If you get insecticide in your eyes, immediately rinse them with water.
  • Wash exposed skin surfaces with soap and water if you come in contact with the insecticide.
  • Wash homegrown fruits and vegetables thoroughly before cooking or eating.
  • Cover outdoor tables and play equipment before the spraying begins, or wash them with soap and water after they have been sprayed.
  • Bring laundry and toys inside before spraying begins. (Wash these items with soap and water if exposed to insecticide during spraying.)
  • Before spraying, bring pets, pet food and water bowls inside and cover ornamental fishponds to avoid direct exposure to the spray.
  • Consult your doctor if you think you are experiencing health effects from the spraying. People who suffer from chemical sensitivities or feel spraying may aggravate a preexisting health condition may consult their physician or local health department.

Although a person’s chances of experiencing any health effects from mosquito spraying are quite low, it is wise to take these steps to reduce exposures to insecticides during spraying.

For more information you can go to the EPA website to learn more about mosquito control.

(Just an FYI, here’s another interesting tidbit on the spelling of mosquito we had to look up before posting this article.)  🙂