Get rid of standing water—where mosquitos
breed
• Twice a week, remove standing water from pool
covers, saucers under flowerpots, recycling
bins, garbage cans, etc. Change the water in
wading pools and livestock watering tanks.
• Once a week, change the water in birdbaths.
• Empty and refill pet bowls often.
• Cover rain barrels with screens.
• Remove old or unused items that tend to
collect water—like tires—from your yard.
• Clean out eaves troughs regularly to prevent
clogs that can trap water.
Manage plants around your home—where
mosquitos shelter
• Cut back tall grasses, shrubs and bushes,
especially in shaded areas.
For more information….
Mosquitoborne
Infections
To learn more about mosquito-borne infections:
• Visit the Health Canada website at:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/life-vie/insecteng.php
• Contact your local Public Health office:
Amherst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 667-3319 or
1-800-767-3319
Antigonish . . . . . . . . . . . . . 867-4500 Ext 4800
Bridgewater . . . . . . . . . . . . 543-0850
Dartmouth . . . . . . . . . . . . 481-5800
New Glasgow . . . . . . . . . . . 752-5151
Sydney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 563-2400
Truro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 893-5820
Wolfville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 542-6310
Yarmouth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 742-7141
For information on pesticides, repellents
or mosquito habitat:
• Contact the Department of Environment:
– Phone: 1-877-9-ENVIRO
–Website: www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/
environment-environnement/pesticides/
insect_repellents-insectifuges-eng.php
For more information on blood and
West Nile virus:
• Visit the Canadian Blood Services website at:
www.BloodServices.ca
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How do I reduce the number of mosquitos
around my home?
Enjoy the outdoors safely
There are about 80 different types of mosquitos
in Canada. Many of them bite and feed on blood
from mammals, including humans.
Besides being uncomfortable, mosquito bites
can lead to other problems.
• Scratching can lead to infections at the site
of the bites.
• In rare cases, a person can have a severe
allergic reaction to the mosquito saliva.
This can be life threatening.
• Mosquitos may carry illnesses that can pass
to humans.
What are mosquito-borne infections?
Mosquito-borne infections are illnesses that can
pass to humans from the bite of a mosquito.
The most common mosquito-borne infection in
Canada is West Nile virus. Other mosquito-borne
viruses in Canada include Western, Eastern, and
St. Louis Equine Encephalitis viruses.
Mosquito-borne infections are very rare in
Nova Scotia. As of 2013, a few cases of West Nile
virus have been found in birds and a few cases
of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus have been
found in horses. A few cases of mosquito-borne
infection have been found in humans in Nova
Scotia, but in most cases, people were infected
while travelling outside of the province.
How are mosquito-borne infections
spread?
How are mosquito-borne infections
treated?
Mosquito-borne infections are spread by the
bite of infected mosquitos. Only certain types
of mosquitos can carry and spread infections.
There are no specific medicines to treat most
mosquito-borne diseases. Treatment will depend
on which illness you have and how serious the
symptoms are.
Most mosquito-borne infections can only be
passed by a mosquito bite. However, there is also
a very low risk of getting West Nile virus through
blood transfusions or organ transplants. To
reduce this risk, blood donations are tested for
this virus.
What are the symptoms of mosquito-borne
infections?
The symptoms are different for each mosquitoborne infection. Different people may also have
different symptoms.
Those infected with West Nile virus and Eastern
Equine Encephalitis can have:
• No symptoms.
• Mild symptoms. These can include fever,
headache, muscle aches, tiredness, joint pain,
and swollen glands.
• Serious health problems. A small proportion
of exposed people can develop serious health
problems including meningitis and/or
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
How can I prevent mosquito-borne
infections?
Mosquitos may bite at any time of day, but most
mosquitos in Nova Scotia are most active at dawn
and dusk.
When mosquitos are active:
• Limit your time outdoors.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks
to reduce the amount of skin for mosquitos
to bite. Light coloured clothing is less likely to
attract mosquitos.
• Use insect repellents that contain DEET or
Icaridin. Always read the entire label carefully
before using. Do not use DEET or Icaridin on
babies under 6 months of age.
It’s also helpful to keep mosquitos out of your
home.
• Make sure that your door and window screens
fit tightly and have no holes.
• Keep unscreened doors and windows closed.