Written and illustrated by Joe SutliffDeveloped by the Fairfax County Health Department

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Copyright 2009 Fairfax County Health DepartmentDivision of Environmental HealthDisease Carrying Insects Program

fightthebite@fairfaxcounty.govwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/fightthebite

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B

sian Tiger MosquitoAThe Asian tiger mosquito has a black body and white stripes. Blood is its favorite meal, and it bites during the day.

lood and Bites

Girl mosquitoes bite to suck blood and get protein to lay eggs.

fightthebite@fairfaxcounty.govwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/fightthebite

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orrugated PipesCMosquitoes only need a little water to breed. Sometimes they grow in the black drainpipes in your yard.

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ragonflyDDragonflies eat mosquitoes.

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ntomologyEThe study of insects.

Mosquito

Ladybug

Yellow jacket

Grasshopper

Ant

Inchworm

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Entomology is the study of insects.

lyingFMosquitoes fly around to find food. They like to stay near cool, shady areas but will travel far in search of blood.Yellow jacket

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uttersG Dirty gutters hold water. Make sure an adult keeps them clean.

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ideHMosquitoes hide in the colder months. They will come out in the spring.

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vyIThe Asian tiger mosquito hides in plants like ivy, azaleas, and other shady bushes.

unkJCleaning up junk gets rid of places where mosquitoes can breed and also helps the environment.

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iddie PoolsKAfter you are done playing in the kiddie pool, make sure you have an adult empty all the water out so mosquitoes can’t lay their eggs.

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arvaeLLarvae are baby mosquitoes that grow in water; you can see them wiggling around.

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osquitoesMMosquitoes are blood-sucking insects that can make you sick.

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ectar NNectar is sugar water that all mosquitoes use for food. Only girl mosquitoes drink blood.

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utdoors OOutdoor play can be more fun if you keep mosquitoes away.

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roboscisPMosquitoes use their proboscis, a straw-like mouth, to suck blood.

uestions QThe Health Department can answer your questions about mosquitoes.

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roboscis

epellentRThere are many different types of repellents that keep mosquitoes away.

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urveillanceSSurveillance means looking for mosquitoes to see how many there are in your neighborhood.

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rapTThe County uses many different types of traps to catch mosquitoes.

BG Sentinel trap

CDC Light trap

Gravid trap

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There are many

ndergroundU Even underground drainage pipes breed mosquitoes.

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irusVA virus is a small germ that can make you sick. Some viruses are carried by mosquitoes.

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est Nile VirusWWest Nile Virus is carried by some mosquitoes and can make you sick.

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West Nile virus is carried by somemosquitoes and can make you sick.

e amineXExamine your yard for breeding sites. See the back of this book for a helpful checklist.

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ardYKeeping your yard clean, neat and free from standing water is the best way to keep mosquitoes away.

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eroZOur goal is to have zero people sick with West Nile virus in Fairfax County. Help us by doing your part!

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Our goal is to have zero people sick with West Nile virus.Help us by doing your part!

Breeding Site Check ListUse this to help eliminate mosquitoes in your yard.

Get Rid of Standing Water Plastic containers, trays, etc. Toys, playhouses. etc. Planters, flower pots, etc. Bird baths, fish ponds, decorative

garden fixtures, etc. Kiddie pools Old tires, tire swings

Check Drainage Clean gutters Remove or make sure corrugated

drainpipes on downspouts do not hold water

Clear drainage ditches of trash & junk

Look for Hidden Water Tarps Storage sheds Watering cans Hoses

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Toys, playhouses, etc.

Breeding Site Check ListUse this to help eliminate mosquitoes in your yard.

Get Rid of Standing Water Plastic containers, trays, etc. Toys, playhouses. etc. Planters, flower pots, etc. Bird baths, fish ponds, decorative

garden fixtures, etc. Kiddie pools Old tires, tire swings

Check Drainage Clean gutters Remove or make sure corrugated

drainpipes on downspouts do not hold water

Clear drainage ditches of trash & junk

Look for Hidden Water Tarps Storage sheds Watering cans Hoses

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Breeding Site ChecklistUse this to help eliminate mosquitoes in your yard.

The Disease Carrying Insects Program (DCIP) was established in 2003 to monitor and control mosquitoes and West Nile virus in Fairfax County. Since then, it has expanded to include ticks and tick-borne diseases. The mission of the program is threefold: vector and disease surveillance, vector management and control as well as community education and outreach activities.

The program’s goal is to minimize the impact of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases with an integrated approach to pest management.

DCIP Team

Program Supervisor: Jorge Arias, Ph.D.

Biologists:Joshua Smith, M.S.Sonya Graves

Support Staff:Ada Garcia-AyalaKelly FontanaChristopher Eliff

Outreach Coordinator:Carl Sivertsen

This publication is copyrighted 2009, all rights reserved. This publication is protected by federal copyright law, and permission to copy material must be obtained from the Fairfax County government. If such permission is sought, please contact the Director of the Department of Health, 10777 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030.

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Layout and Printing by Allen Wayn Ltd2009 Recipient of the

Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Award

e .>..Layout by Allen Wayne Ltd.2009 Recipient of the

Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Award

Copyright © 2009 by Fairfax County, Virginia. All rights reserved. Customization and printing of this publication are made available through the American Mosquito Control Association. Please visit their web site www.mosquito.org/books-a-merchandise for more information.Second Edition 2011

Fairfax County Health Department, Disease Carrying Insects Program, 10777 Main StreetFairfax, VA 22030

703-246-2300TTY 703-591-6435

fightthebite@fairfaxcounty.govwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/fightthebite

A Fairfax County, Virginia, publication. To request this information in an alternate format, call the Fairfax County Health Department at 703-246-2300/TTY 703-591-6435.

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703-246-8931TTY 711

703-246-8931/TTY 711.