Preventing WNV Article
Preventing West Nile Virus.
Mosquitoes are the cause of WNV in horses, therefore we must reduce the mosquito population around your horse. Reduction of standing water (calm, standing water is mosquito breeding ground) is the key to mosquito control. Here is a list of things you can do to reduce the mosquito population around your horse and you.
1. Clean and chlorinate your swimming pool year round or use a good cover. 2. Dispose of empty cans, flower pots, containers (anything that can hold a teaspoon of water). 3. Drill holes in recycling containers.
4. Aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
5. If you have low areas that accumulate standing water, fill them with dirt and level the area so that water will not stand. 6. Turn over children's wadding pools when not in use.
7. Pay special attention to discarded tires (mosquitoes love tires for breeding). 8. Empty and refill outdoor watering troughs and buckets every few days,(don't forget the birdbath).
9. Mosquitoes may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than 4-5 days
There are also preventative steps you can take to reduce the effects on your horse may include the following:
1. If you need light at the barn place incandescent bulbs around the outside perimeter to attract the mosquito's away from the horse. (bug zappers do not attract mosquito's well) 2. Use a good fly spray and mosquito repellant.
3 Fog the stable area if heavily populated by mosquito's in the evening (use caution and follow directions carefully).
A recently completed epidemiological study of WNV suggests that keeping horses in stalls at night may be helpful in reducing their risk of WNV.
I found a great free printable WNV tip sheet at: http://www.tinkerbellfarms.com/westniletips.htm
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