Mosquitoes

Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Mosquito-borne illnesses include:

• Chikungunya
• Dengue
• West Nile Virus
• Zika

Learn more about mosquito-borne illnesses.

Tips to Reduce Exposure Mosquito Bites and Illness

The Orange County Health Department wants residents and visitors of the area to follow the recommendation of NCDHHS to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases:

• Avoid being outside without protection during the early dawn and twilight hours
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors
• Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET or an equivalent when outside and use caution when applying to children
• Most mosquito complaints from homeowners can be traced to the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus, pictured above), that is one of North Carolina’s worst mosquito pests. She has an aggressive biting habit.  
• She is also the easiest mosquito to control. All mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs, and the Asian tiger mosquito prefers to lay its eggs inside containers that hold water. These can be man-made containers such as tires, tin cans, buckets, bird baths or clogged gutters. They will also lay eggs in natural containers, such as holes in trees or rocks. The best way to control this mosquito around homes and businesses is to get rid of containers that can hold water. For items where water cannot be drained, check your local hardware store for products to kill mosquito larvae and follow label directions. 

Read about protecting workers from occupational exposure to Zika Virus (PDF) for more information.

Some suggestions to keep mosquitoes from breeding: 

• Recycle or throw away trash and unwanted items. 
• Tip and Toss! Prevent useful items from filling with water by covering them, turning them upside down, storing indoors, etc. 
• Clean leaf-clogged gutters.
• Check rain gutters, downspouts and underground drains to make sure they are angled correctly and does not hold water between rains. Provide rain barrels have a cover that will prevent mosquitoes from entering and breeding.
• Change water weekly in outdoor containers like pet bowls, flower pot dishes or bird baths so that mosquito larvae won't have time to become adults. 

Tips to Reduce Mosquito Habitats and Breeding Grounds

Videos

Watch our short video about how to minimize mosquito breeding grounds and protect yourself from these biting pests. You can also watch our fight the bite commercial online.