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23| O akville B eaver | T hursday,June 14,2018 insidehalton.com Save on your home Save.ca Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC. Canada's destination for digital flyers and coupons. Save more at Save.ca Halton Region has started its annual larviciding program to reduce the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) in the community. This is part of Halton's ongoing commit- ment to enhance the health and well-being of residents through public education and prevention programs. "Larviciding is just one part of our West Nile virus prevention program, which in- cludes public education, monitoring and surveillance," said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. "By working together with the community, we will continue to reduce the risk of West Nile virus and keep our community safe and healthy." Larviciding is the process of applying pesticides to areas with standing water such as catch basins and storm water ponds, where mosquito larvae are com- monly found. This preventative program runs from June to August in an attempt to reduce the adult mosquito population and helping to stop the mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus. Residents are also encouraged to take the following steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes: • Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long- sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-wo- ven fabric. • Avoid being outdoors from early eve- ning to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas. • Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all wa- ter-filled containers and objects such as plant pots, old toys and tires. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week. • Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin. • Make sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings. A map showing the locations of stand- ing water sites on public property where larvicide is applied is available at hal- ton.ca/wnv. If residents see standing wa- ter on public property, they can report it to Halton Region by emailing accesshal- ton@halton.ca or calling 311. For more information about West Nile virus, visit halton.ca/wnv or call 311. NEWS The Region has begun its annual larviciding to prevent the spread of West Nile virus. Metroland file photo Region starts larviciding program to help prevent West Nile virus