CONFIRMED
OR not, chikungunya is the terror word these days. And what is
keeping people on tenterhooks is the fact that mosquitoes are
behind the spread of the fever.
Always dangerous
The point is mosquitoes are always dangerous, more so during monsoon.
If not chikungunya, they can bring other viral fevers as well,
including malaria.
The best thing is to take steps to shut out mosquitoes completely.
For personal protection, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts
are the best wear.
Applying mosquito repellents too is helpful, but then, repellents,
as the word suggests, only repel, that too, only to some extent.
Mosquito coils, though not effective right away, can serve a whole
night. But they too are not completely effective. Mosquitoes,
they say, slowly develop resistance to such human ammunition.
Net them out
What most experts suggest as the best and safest means is the
age-old mosquito net. With several types of mosquito nets and
meshes available in the market, one aspect you have to make sure
is that they are strong enough, with a mesh size not larger than
1.5mm.
Bigger ones can let in mosquitoes and smaller ones might not
let in enough air.
Fibreglass screens
Fibreglass insect screens too are available, which can be fitted
onto your windows and doors.
These, along with the nets, are available in washable and easy
to install models. According to Hyderabad-based Spartan Business
Network, Saint-Gobain's fibreglass insect screens are available
at Rs.10 per square feet. The sizes range from three ft and four
ft to five ft. For doors, these can be fitted into separate frames
before installing.
Clean premises
Coming back to the anti-mosquito strategy, make sure they have
no place to breed and thrive anywhere in your compound. Their
breeding grounds can be anything that has got to do with stagnant
water.
So, immediately clean or empty anything lying around in your
front or backyard that helps water stagnate. These could be flowerpots,
used tires, tins, plastic covers, buckets and what not.
Ensure that drains, gutters and their paths are not clogged with
leaves and twigs, and also that there are no decaying debris scattered
around.
Also trim the shrubs and small trees or plants with dense foliage
that can help mosquitoes rest during the day. See that there are
no broken glass panes or loose windowpanes. Since it is during
sunset and sunrise that mosquitoes break in, keep all doors and
windows shut to the maximum extent possible at these times. Windows
in the bathroom/toilet that open outwards also have to be closed.
