Children are often very allergic to mosquito bites and infected mosquito bites can lead to impetigo, a painful bacterial skin infection. Protect your children with a repellent containing 10-3096 DEET (usually listed on the repellent container as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) if they are exposed to mosquitoes. Higher concentrations of DEET may cause irritation. Read the label of any repellent you use and contact your local mosquito control district if you need additional information on protecting your children from mosquitoes. To prevent mosquitoes from entering your home, make certain window and door screens are in good repair.
Mosquitoes carry heartworm disease which can be fatal to your pet. See your veterinarian for advice on preventing or treating this very common disease.
Mosquitoes carry eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a highly fatal disease of horses of all breeds. Each year several horses in the Panhandle die of EEE. There are highly effective vaccines for EEE and, while they are available at tackle shops and feed stores, state law requires that a licensed veterinarian administer the vaccine. A poorly stored or wrongly administered vaccine will not protect your animal.
Common breeding sites for mosquitoes are flowers with axils, such as bromeliads, and flower pot dishes that do not drain. Water must be flushed from these saucers every few days to prevent mosquito breeding. People who collect rain water for flowers should also put a screen over the container to prevent mosquitoes from depositing eggs in the water. Enjoy your plants without contributing to the neighborhood mosquito problem.