Controlling those pesky mosquitoes

  • Published
  • By Orhan Bayik
  • 39th Medical Group Public Health Specialist
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Those ever-pesky mosquitoes are a health concerns because they can transmit many diseases.

As a result, during the mosquito season, the base controls mosquitoes using a variety of preventive measures including chemical fogging which began June 11, and eliminating standing water when possible. When standing water cannot be drained, other equally effective measures including larvacide, a species of fish that eat mosquito larva, are used.

All base members can also help control mosquitoes by following these basic guidelines:

Make sure all doors and windows have screens and are in good repair.

Eliminate any standing water in your area and watch for any containers that hold water. Mosquitoes can breed in even small amounts of water.

Keep your grass cut short.

Report blocked drainage ditches or standing water to the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron service desk at 676-6356.

Additionally, you can lessen the impact of mosquitoes by following these steps:

· Minimize the amount of time spent outside at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes primarily feed.

· Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants or trousers and use mosquito repellant.

· For active duty personnel, uniform treatment and repellant can be ordered through the supply system:

Uniform treatment (insect repellant, clothing application) NSN 6840-01-278-1336
Insect repellant, personal application NSN 6840-01-284-3982
Insect repellant and sunscreen NSN 6840-01-288-2188

Although the insecticide applied by fogging trucks is safe, here are some steps you can take to reduce exposure. 

Be aware of your surroundings and the location of the fogging vehicle when in operation. 

Do not follow the fogging vehicle on foot or follow too close behind the fog and misting vehicle when operating vehicles or bicycles. 

The mosquito fogging truck is equipped with amber flashing lights to indicate the approaching vehicle during the operation.

For more information, contact the 39th Medical Group Public Health office at 676-6124.