Prevent West Nile Virus on Your Property

MEDIA–West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can rapidly spread when infected mosquitoes breed in puddles of water.

Here are eight tips to eliminate possible locations of breeding around your residence from Delaware County Councilwoman Colleen Morrone, the council's liaison to the Department of Intercommunity Health. 

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property.
• Drill holes in the bottom of containers that are left outdoors. 
• Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis.
• Turn over plastic wading pools, wheelbarrows and birdbaths when not in use. 
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.

Dead birds can indicate an increased risk of West Nile virus infections in the area, so report any seen to the Pennsylvania West Nile Website at www.westnile.state.pa.us. You can also sign up on the site to receive emails with information on the latest West Nile activity.