From the beginning of April, the Municipality of Filothei – Psychico has begun weekly applications of approved larvicides along the Filothei creek which is considered a prime mosquito breeding ground.

In recent years, due to the increase in their population and the introduction in our country of new species with different biological habits, mosquitoes constitute a risk of for the spread of diseases, such as the West Nile Virus, as they are carriers of these infections.

Apart from the aforementioned, the nuisance mosquitoes cause throughout the day leads to a decline in the standard of living.  Taking into consideration all of the above and peculiarity of our Municipality insofar as its vegetation, we consider it necessary to take measures to eradicate mosquitoes as well as to inform citizens.

Concurrently, from mid-April, every 20 days the 1342 storm drains in the Filothei – Psychico Municipality are checked for stagnant water and larvicides are applied to all those that contain water.  Additionally, areas that are primarily green, such as playgrounds, fountains and squares, are checked regularly for mosquito larvae and where found they, too, are treated with larvicides.

Lastly, from early May when the population of the “tiger” mosquito begins to significantly increase, the Municipality will distribute information leaflets to the public informing them about ways to cope with mosquitos, especially this species.

Information leaflets can be obtained by citizens from Municipal buildings, the Municipality’s KEP centers and from the Educational Ecological Park of Neo Psychico. Furthermore, an update will be given and on-site inspections will be conducted on a total of 1000 buildings under construction in selected areas of our Municipality.

How to prevent having mosquitoes at home
 
Many of the mosquitoes that annoy us have bred in our own yard, garden or balcony.  In order to control their population, we need to know where mosquitos deposit their eggs and how the larvae develop.

The principal condition for mosquito breeding is stagnant or slow-running water.

WHERE THERE ARE MOSQUITOES, THERE IS STAGNANT WATER

Therefore:

• Store water containers not in use (buckets, basins, etc.) turned upside down or covered.

• Replace any damaged water pipes (pipes from which water seeps).

• Cover the ventilation ducts of septic tanks with screens.
  
  
  

• Keep gutters clean and unclogged from leaves.
  
  

• Keep your pet’s water bowl clean and filled with fresh water (clean at least once per week)

• Cover or remove items that can hold rain water, such as old tires.

• Drain water that accumulates in the saucers beneath plant pots at least once a week.

• Cover outdoor storage units, boats, tanks so that they don’t collect rain water.

• If you have a swimming pool, be certain to aerate it daily (turn on the air filter) in order to remove mosquito eggs and larvae.

  • Cover any stagnant water that cannot be drained or removed (i.e.  water tanks, water wells, barrels, etc.), else apply an approved larvicide (have a professional apply the insecticide, carefully following the instructions on the packaging).
 
• In general, keep your yard and property clean, discarding all garbage.