Summer is all about fun in the sun, or at least it should be, but the mosquitoes in Rockford right now are really messing that fun up.

My daughters love playing outdoors, but I find myself keeping them inside right now because they seem to be little mosquito magnets and I hate seeing all the little red welts on their skin.

With all the rain that Rockford saw during the month of May, the Winnebago County Health Department is stressing the importance of diligent mosquito prevention around our homes.

The Winnebago County Health Department's Facebook offers several simple things we can do to prevent mosquito breeding grounds and the spread of West Nile Virus:

  • Weekly dumping of outdoor items that hold water like toys, buckets, planters, bird baths and pool covers.
  • Getting rid of unwanted items in your yard, like tires, that make perfect mosquito breeding grounds. (WCHD is actually hosting a free tire drop off at their building on N Court St. on Saturday, June 15th)
  • Repel mosquitoes from your body by wearing appropriate shoes and clothing while outdoors, i.e. long shirts and pants, closed shoes, etc.
  • Report any dead birds you may find around your home so they can be checked for West Nile Virus

Several lawn care service companies in the Rockford area offer mosquito preventing treatments that you can done to your yard as well, and I've heard they work quite well. I think I need to give them a call today.

Catch Lil Zim on ‘Q98.5 Mornings with Lil Zim & JB’ on Q98.5 from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow her on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook

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