Placer County California

Prevent WNV Around Your Home

The best way to prevent West Nile Virus is to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Removing standing water is the number one method for doing so. Maintained swimming pools and whirlpools since the pool chemicals kill any larvae. The main concern is stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs undisturbed.

If you find a dead bird, call the California West Nile Virus Hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD. They will direct you on what to do with dead birds.

There is no evidence that a person can get West Nile Virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, you should leave the bird alone or put it in a plastic bag using gloves or other protection. Persons should avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animal.

If you are asked to dispose of a dead bird, you can safely do so by picking it up with gloved hands or a shovel, double bagging it in plastic and disposing of it in the trash.

Home and Garden Checklist for Preventing WNV

Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water, which hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly from places around your house and garden, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place. Here are some things you can do:

Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, garden equipment and cans

Check items that might hold water including wheelbarrows, toys, pool covers, tarps, plastic garden sheeting, boats, canoes, trash and other containers.

Home > Departments > Health and Human Services > Community Health > Communicable Diseases > West Nile Virus > Around Your Home
	Prevent WNV Around Your Home The best way to prevent West Nile Virus is to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Removing standing water is the number one method for doing so. Maintained swimming pools and whirlpools since the pool chemicals kill any larvae. The main concern is stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs undisturbed. If you find a dead bird, call the California West Nile Virus Hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD. They will direct you on what to do with dead birds. There is no evidence that a person can get West Nile Virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, you should leave the bird alone or put it in a plastic bag using gloves or other protection. Persons should avoid bare-handed contact when handling any dead animal. If you are asked to dispose of a dead bird, you can safely do so by picking it up with gloved hands or a shovel, double bagging it in plastic and disposing of it in the trash. Home and Garden Checklist for Preventing WNV Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water, which hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly from places around your house and garden, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place. Here are some things you can do: Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, garden equipment and cans Check items that might hold water including wheelbarrows, toys, pool covers, tarps, plastic garden sheeting, boats, canoes, trash and other containers.