The Florida Department of Health is warning that mosquitoes will be out in force soon. Heavy rains have soaked most of the state for the last month, leaving soggy yards and standing water.
Mosquito bites were few, since the insects can't fly in the rain, and mosquito-borne illnesses are down so far this year. But now, says state epidemiologist Carina Blackmore, standing water combined with high humidity is perfect weather for the bugs.
"Some mosquitoes can actually breed in small caps", Blackmore warned. "Certainly flower pots, dog dishes, tarps that accumulate water. It takes just a few days for mosquitoes to find these places and lay their eggs."
Blackmore says the best way to prevent a mosquito bite is to wear long clothing, especially at dusk, and use insect repellant that contains deet.
Changing the water in bird baths and pools often helps keep mosquitoes from breeding.
So far in 2013, there are no reports of West Nile Virus in Florida, but the health department expects the number of cases to grow as summer goes on. 2012 was the second worst year on record for reported cases of West Nile, including nearly 200 deaths in the US.