Protect yourself, guard against mosquitos Published Oct. 18, 2018 By Army 1st Lt. Morgan A. Lucke Brooke Army Medical Center Entomologist JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Due to the recent heavy rains, the amount of mosquitos has increased at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis. Brooke Army Medical Center Environmental Health Services members are conducting mosquito surveillance and request people don’t tamper with mosquito traps. Mosquitos can cause irritation at bite sites and spread disease, such as West Nile Virus. This season the West Nile Virus has been detected in the mosquitos on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, although no patients have been identified at BAMC. It is important to protect yourself and reduce mosquito habitats. The best way to do this is to follow these suggestions: Perform a weekly check around your home/office building and empty, turn over, drain, cover or throw out items that hold water and scrub the area that was filled with water. This can include plastic containers, pet water bowls, flowerpots, trash cans, old tires, children’s toys and gutters.* Cut back overgrown areas and tall grass to eliminate resting areas for mosquitoes. Larviciding – which is mosquito population control – will be performed in specific locations, as deemed necessary. Use air conditioning or window and door screens and repair any holes to prevent mosquitoes inside the home or office. Ensure proper personnel protective equipment is used. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks to limit exposed skin. Use registered Environmental Protection Agency insect repellent containing DEET (use 20 to 50 percent; concentrations over 50 percent provide no added protection) or Picaridin on uncovered skin during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. (Source: BAMC Environmental Health Services)