As temperatures rise and mosquito activity increases across New Jersey, health and environmental officials from the New Jersey Departments of Health (NJDOH), Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and Agriculture (NJDA) are urging residents to take simple steps to protect themselves and their communities from mosquito bites.

“Protecting public health is a shared responsibility. The best defense against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten in the first place and reducing breeding grounds,” said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner.

The Departments offer the following tips and information for New Jerseyans to enjoy a healthier and safer summer.

Prevent Mosquito Breeding and Avoid Bites

The best way to prevent illness is to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. That means taking precautions when you go outside and doing your part to get rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed.

TIP #1: Prevent bites

• Use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
• Stay in air-conditioned places or screened areas whenever possible, especially during peak mosquito hours.

TIP #2: Eliminate standing water

• Dispose of items that can collect water, including unused containers and debris around your property.
• Dump water weekly that accumulates in containers such as flowerpots, birdbaths, buckets, and pet dishes.
• Drill drainage holes in the bottom and elevate outdoor recycling and trash containers.
• Clean and repair gutters to prevent water buildup.
• Keep ornamental ponds circulating or stocked with fish to prevent stagnant water.
• Maintain swimming pools, including those not in use, and remove standing water from pool covers.

TIP #3: Get help when you need it
If a mosquito problem remains after taking the above steps, call your county mosquito control agency for help with larval habitats best addressed by experts.

“It’s critical that everyone does their part to control nuisance mosquito populations by taking steps to prevent the pooling of water around their properties that can provide places for mosquitoes to breed,” said Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “These steps can go a long way toward reducing localized populations of mosquitoes and will help support the work of county mosquito control agencies and the state’s Mosquito Control Commission to protect the public from mosquito-borne diseases.”

Mosquito-borne Diseases in NJ

While the most commonly reported mosquito-borne disease in New Jersey is West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and Jamestown Canyon virus are also causes for concern.

WNV activity started early this year and has been detected in mosquitoes in 12 counties so far this year. On average, there are 22 human cases of WNV reported each year in New Jersey.

TIP #4: Know the symptoms
Most infected people have no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness that can include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea, and sometimes a rash. Most people with mild illness recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.

Some develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system or illness that results in hospitalization or death. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, or paralysis.

Some effects may be permanent, and risk of severe illness increases with age, certain chronic medical conditions, and a weakened immune system.

Summer Travel Risks

Summer travel to regions where dengue and malaria are common can increase the risk of these illnesses being introduced into local communities. Infected travelers can unknowingly transmit these diseases to mosquitoes, which may then spread them to others through subsequent bites.

TIP #5: Know before you go
Review health advisories for your destination and consult your health care provider about recommended medications or preventive measures before departure.

Upon returning to New Jersey, prevent mosquito bites for at least three weeks to reduce the risk of disease transmission within your community.

Mosquito Surveillance & Control Efforts

New Jersey’s mosquito control agencies use a variety of methods, including public awareness campaigns, targeted larval habitat source-reduction programs, use of natural predators such as mosquito-eating fish, and judicious application of EPA- and DEP-approved insecticides by ground and aerial means.

TIP #6: Protect animals, too
Mosquito-borne diseases can also cause severe illness and death in horses and other livestock species. West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis affect a horse’s neurological system, so preventive care is encouraged.

“Mosquitos are one of those cross species vectors as they seek warm blooded animals including people,” said NJ Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. “To prevent infections in their animals, farmers must work to remove standing water on their farms and refresh water supplies for livestock to prevent it from becoming mosquito habitat.”