Most countries in Africa experience two climatic seasons: a rainy season which takes place roughly from April and extends to October, and a dry season from November till late April. One associated characteristic of the rainy season is the damp weather conditions. These wet conditions create a conducive environment that helps the breeding of mosquitoes.
As a homeowner or facility manager, ensuring that your house is free from sickness-causing parasites cannot be overemphasized. This means that you need to take the necessary steps to control the breeding of these parasites.
According to the World Health Organization, Vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700 000 deaths annually with Malaria responsible for more than 400,000. Aside from Malaria, Mosquitoes have been found to be a great host to many other deadly diseases such as the Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, and dengue. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the shift toward mosquitoes that carry diseases other than malaria is likely to accelerate with evolving climatic conditions, according to Mordecai and LaBeaud researchers at Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment.
The good news is that many vector-borne diseases are preventable, through protective measures, and community mobilization.
How to protect yourself and your household from Mosquitoes
Remove any water that has become stagnant
Making your home less conducive to mosquitoes is one of the most critical stages in preventing a mosquito outbreak on your property. Mosquito populations will congregate around their breeding grounds because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, this is a critical stage for the reproduction of mosquitoes.
Look around your neighborhood to see if there are any areas with stagnant water. Unused tyres, pots, holes, dustbins, can hold rainwater making such spots mosquitoes’ favorites breeding ground, remove these materials and drain any standing water as soon as possible.
Plants that repel mosquitoes are a good option.
This is not very prevalent in some parts of Africa. However, plant-based repellents have been used in practically all households as personal protection against mosquito reproduction. Medicinal plants such as citronella, lemon balm, marigolds, basil, lavender, rosemary, and others can be used to naturally repel mosquitoes without the need for pesticides.
Close your doors and windows.
Because of the humid conditions in the air during the rainy season, make sure to close your doors and windows, especially in the evenings. Consider placing mesh screens or mosquito nets at all openings to ensure that natural airflow is maintained.
Clean the yard
Mosquitoes like to breed in the shade of bushes and tall grass, so cutting your flowers, shrubs, and bushes will minimize the number of hiding spots in your yard. Clean the gutters, playsets, flower vases and fill all puddles
Use insect repellent creams and sprays to keep insects at bay.
Any medicine store near you should have an FDA or NAFDAC-approved insect repellent cream.
This mosquito repellent lotion comes in a variety of forms, including spray, cream, gel, and roll-ons. You can use it on your skin or spray it around your apartment, but check the label on the bottle for more information and safety precautions.
In conclusion, malaria remains a serious health challenge in Africa, and simple preventive habits like the one outlined above can help keep mosquitoes at bay.
Here at OPOD, we consciously select encourage property owners, facility managers, and partners to ensure all properties listed on our platform and its environment are free from vector-borne diseases.
What other techniques do you use at your current residence?
Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
