If you’ve lived in South Carolina for more than a few minutes, you know what mosquitoes look like. Although they look fragile, they are extremely resilient and prey on both people and a variety of animals. This year they’ve introduced a new threat to our state, the Zika virus.
The Zika virus is primarily spread via mosquito bites and most cases within the United States are the result of people returning home after traveling outside of the country. The first Zika case in South Carolina was reported back in April. The virus was contracted outside of the country and was no longer contagious once the affected individual returned to the states. While there is concern about the rapidly spreading disease due to its link to a birth defect called microcephaly. The most common symptoms of this birth defect include fever, joint pain, rash and blood-shot eyes. Experts say there is no immediate need to worry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released tips to help you protect your family.
Here’s how to protect yourself:
1. Use an Environmental Protection Agency approved repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, KBR 3023, Bayrepel, icaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or IR3535. These products should be used according to the product label.
2. Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and closed toe shoes. Treat items with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
3. “Mosquito-proof” your home by using screens on windows and doors, running air conditioning, and make sure there is no standing water around your home including in tires, buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, trash cans, etc.
For more information please visit www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitos.
In addition to the three tips listed above, residents are being asked to handle their own mosquito control treatments in order to reduce the risk of transmission of the Zika virus.
Clark’s offers several treatment packages that can help provide you with peace of mind. Our skilled technicians will eliminate the need to worry about these disease-carrying pest with two simple steps that immediately kill mosquitoes. Our treatments are guaranteed to suppress current and further populations of mosquitoes. This guarantee lasts between each treatment. The residual of each treatment lasts up to 21 days depending on weather conditions. Although the spread of the Zika virus may be alarming, Clark’s offers solutions to help protect you and your family so you can take back your outdoor living space!
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