For people living in moist, humid environments, mosquitoes are an everyday sight. These annoying pests leave itching bites and are troublesome to deal with. Besides being a nuisance, though, mosquitoes may also be carrying a virus that can affect you and your family.
Zika virus is commonly associated with mosquitoes because the pests can transmit the virus to humans through bites. This virus, while not immediately life-threatening to adults, can have tremendously negative impacts on unborn children. Installing a system for mosquito control in Southwest Ranches, FL can help protect you and your family from the virus, but it’s also important to understand the virus, its effects and what you can do to prevent it.
How is Zika virus spread?
Zika virus is most often spread through mosquito bites. The virus can also be spread from a pregnant mother to a fetus, as well as through sexual intercourse and blood transfusions.
What are the symptoms of Zika virus?
The most common symptoms of Zika virus include a fever, rash, headache, joint and muscle pain and red eyes. Typically, most people will experience only mild symptoms of Zika virus, and sometimes will not experience any symptoms at all.
It is uncommon for people to get sick enough to require hospitalization, and very rare that people die from the Zika virus.
If you experience symptoms of Zika virus and have recently traveled to an area with a known risk of Zika, you should be tested for the virus. A medical professional can make a diagnosis through a blood or urine test.
What are the health risks of Zika?
The health risks to adults infected with the Zika virus are typically minimal. To treat the virus, get plenty of rest and fluids. Recently, there have been increased reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in areas affected by the virus.
However, the risks of Zika virus are far greater for pregnant women. The virus is known to cause microcephaly, a birth defect of the brain, if contracted during pregnancy. Microcephaly causes the baby’s head to be smaller than expected, as well as improper brain development. Zika has also been linked to other negative effects during pregnancy, including miscarriage and stillbirth.
How can I prevent Zika virus?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent the transmission of Zika virus. To avoid contracting the virus, all adults and children should avoid mosquito bites, as they are the leading cause of infection. Wear protective clothing and insect repellent spray approved by the EPA to prevent mosquito bites.
Additionally, consider installing a system for mosquito control at your home in Southwest Ranches, FL. These systems hook up to your sprinkler system and spray organic pesticides onto your lawn to effectively keep mosquitoes and other pests away from you and your family.
Contact the mosquito-repelling experts
Spillers Sprinklers Inc. is a certified dealer and installer of Mosquito Magician systems. We can outfit your home or business with effective mosquito control in Southwest Ranches, FL and connect it directly to your sprinkler system for optimal efficiency and ease of use.
Our company has decades of experience installing, repairing and maintaining sprinkler systems for residential and commercial clients. We offer one-year warranties on all our products and services and free estimates! Call today to learn how we can protect your family from Zika virus with our systems.