Mosquito and Tick Prevention

 

Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes and Ticks

During the warmer months, residents are encouraged to take simple precautions to protect themselves, their families, and pets from mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses.

In Oakland County, West Nile Virus (WNV) remains a seasonal concern, and ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas. The City of Southfield continues prevention efforts and encourages residents to reduce standing water and take steps to avoid bites.

The City’s mosquito prevention efforts focus on reducing areas where mosquitoes breed to help limit the spread of West Nile Virus.

 

West Nile Virus (WNV)

West Nile Virus is most often spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While most people do not experience symptoms, some may develop mild flu-like illness, and in rare cases, severe complications can occur.

Symptoms may appear 3 to 14 days after a bite and can include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Fatigue

In rare cases, serious symptoms such as high fever, confusion, or neurological effects may occur.

How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

  • Use EPA-registered insect repellent
  • Wear long sleeves and pants when possible
  • Limit outdoor activity at dusk and dawn
  • Maintain window and door screens
  • Remove standing water around your home:
    • Buckets, toys, planters, birdbaths
    • Pet bowls and trash containers
    • Clogged gutters

Eliminating standing water is one of the most effective ways to reduce mosquito populations.

 

Tick Safety

Ticks are present throughout Michigan and can carry diseases such as Lyme disease. They are most active during warmer months but can be encountered year-round.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

  • Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass
  • Walk in the center of trails
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents
  • Treat clothing with permethrin (do not apply to skin)
  • Check your body, children, and pets after being outdoors
  • Dry clothing on high heat after outdoor exposure

Ticks can be very small and often go unnoticed, so checking thoroughly after outdoor activity is important.

If You Find a Tick

  • Remove it as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers
  • Grasp close to the skin and pull upward steadily
  • Clean the area with soap and water or alcohol
  • Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms develop

 

What Southfield is Doing

The emphasis of the City’s Mosquito Prevention Program is to reduce the areas where mosquitoes breed to help reduce the spread of West Nile Virus.

Mosquito control is applied using biological controls to all catch basins and areas of standing water within City rights-of-way to prevent mosquito larvae from reaching maturity.

In addition, the City:

  • Provides public education on mosquito and tick prevention
  • Treats City-owned catch basins with larvicide
  • Monitors and treats standing water in detention areas as needed

These efforts focus on preventing mosquito larvae from developing and reducing the risk of disease transmission.