Don’t just toss out stagnant water and call it a day, there’s more that can be done to keep your family safe.
With Singapore’s rising temperatures, increasing mosquito population and the recent dominance of a less common Dengue virus serotype, the number of dengue cases surged in 2019 and is expected to again this year.
And, like it or not, the threat of dengue is very real as the Aedes mosquito thrives in our homes. Small collections of water – even as small in volume as that of a 20-cent coin – can become the perfect breeding habitats for these pests.
But, what if you have been removing stagnant collections of water? Does that then make you and your family safe? Not quite! Here are some other measures you can take to keep your home mozzie-free:
1. Keep track of mozzie hotspots
While dengue cannot spread directly from person to person, it is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito.
A female mosquito gets infected when she bites and takes in blood from a dengue-infected person. After an incubation period of about 1 week, the female mosquito will be able to transmit the virus to other people she subsequently bites.
Well, how do you protect yourself and your family against dengue then?
We’d recommend keeping track of mozzie hotspots. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has made it easy to get updates on this, with a new map that tracks areas with higher Aedes mosquito population. This information allows you to take preventive measures in your home, if your area has higher Aedes mosquito population.
From the NEA website, you can also find out where the dengue cluster areas are. If you are in a dengue cluster area, follow these 5 tips to protect yourself and your loved ones:
2. Implement a doable mozzie wipeout at home
Whether or not you are living in these dengue high-risk vicinities, keeping your home free from these pests should be top priority. And, preventing the Aedes mosquito from breeding in your home is a lot easier than you think – all you need is a 10-minute wipeout routine:
- Turn the pail
- Tip the vase
- Flip the flowerpot plate
- Loosen the hardened soil
- Clear the roof gutter and place Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) insecticide inside
In addition, to kill any adult mosquitoes, you should:
- Spray aerosol insecticide in dark corners of your home – such as behind the curtains, behind the cupboard, under your sofa.
Make sure to spray dark corners of your home (such as under your bed and sofa), as adult mosquitoes tend to rest there.
For more tips on how and where to spray aerosol insecticide at home, watch this short clip below!
Act now to keep your home safe
This article was brought to you in collaboration with the National Environment Agency, Singapore’s leading organisation responsible for ensuring a clean and green environment, and its sustainable development.
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