Dengue numbers are at an all-time high. So i​t's important to prevent mosquitoes from breeding both inside and outside your home.

Inside the home, disease-causing mosquitoes commonly breed in ornamental and other containers, plant pot trays and plates, and canvas sheets/plastic sheets. Outside the home, mosquitoes can breed in perimeter drains, gully traps and discarded containers.


Read more: More ways to protect yourself and loved ones from the Aedes mosquito

 

“It’s important to take precautions inside and outside your home to prevent mosquito breeding and contribute to dengue prevention,” says Dr Chua Ying Ying, Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth​ group.

You can take the following precautions to protect your home from mosquitoes:

Daily

  • Use insecticide sprays in dark corners (under the bed, sofa and behind curtains) and burn repellent oils inside your home
  • Turn over all water storage containers when empty and store them under a shelter
  • Cover bamboo pole holders when not in use
  • Loosen soil in potted plants to prevent accumulation of stagnant water on surface

Alternate days

  • Change water in vases/bowls
  • Remove water from flower/plant pot plates

Weekly

  • Clear fallen leaves and stagnant water in scupper drains and in the garden
  • Clear any stagnant water in air cooler units

Read more: Emergency kit at home - 10 must-have items recommended by an Emergency Medicine doctor

 

Monthly

  • Clear fallen leaves and other blockages in roof gutters
  • Use sand granular insecticide in gully traps and roof gutters

Don't forget the 5-step mozzie wipe-out!

The NEA's (National Environment Agency) “10-minute 5-step Mozzie Wipe-out” routine is designed to keep homes free of the Aedes mosquito. The steps are:

  1. Change water in vases/bowls on alternate days.
  2. Turn over all water storage containers.
  3. Remove water from flower pot plates on alternate days.
  4. Cover bamboo pole holders when not in use.
  5. Clear blockages and put BTI insecticide in roof gutters monthly.
Read more: Severe dengue fever - Warning signs and what to do  


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