In light of recent heavy rainfall throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Environmental Health Department (EHD) is urging all residents, homeowners, property managers, and businesses to take immediate steps to reduce mosquito breeding sites and prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever.
Help Keep Your Community Safe:
To limit mosquito breeding and safeguard public health, the EHD requests that all residents:
- Remove all debris, garbage, old tires, and refuse from their properties and dispose of them at designated public landfills on their respective islands. Old tires, in particular, can hold water and are ideal mosquito breeding grounds.
- Check and treat all standing water on the premises using safe methods, such as a small amount of cooking oil or mosquito dunks. Mosquito dunks are safe, natural tablets that can be added to standing water to prevent mosquito larvae from developing.
Additional Steps to Reduce Mosquito Populations:
The EHD Vector Control Unit is actively monitoring and treating mosquito breeding sites. To support these efforts, residents and businesses are encouraged to remain vigilant and adopt the following preventative measures:
- Inspect buildings and yards weekly to identify and eliminate any sources of standing water.
- Turn over or cover containers that may collect water, including buckets, basins, and flowerpots.
- Dispose of old tires or cover them securely.
- Properly dispose of garbage and avoid any accumulation of refuse that may trap water.
- Cover boats, children’s pools, and other outdoor items that collect rainwater.
- Clean and maintain rain gutters to ensure water flows freely.
- Check window and door screens for holes and repair any damage to keep mosquitoes out of living spaces.
- Seal water drums and rain barrels with tight covers.
Contact Information:
For further guidance and support, don’t hesitate to contact the Environmental Health Department at 649-338-2143 or 649-338-2144.
Thank you for cooperating in keeping the Turks and Caicos Islands safe and healthy.
