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After heavy rains from Hermine soaked Hampton Roads, mosquito breeding grounds could be full

Posted at 12:58 PM, Sep 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-07 16:58:21-04

NORFOLK, Va. - After heavy rains from Hermine inundated Hampton Roads, Public Health officials in the region are reminding residents to be aware of the increased risk of mosquito breeding grounds.

Norfolk Public Health is reminding folks to Tip, Toss and Cover to prevent Zika and other mosquito-carried illnesses from spreading.

It's the same message being spread by the Virginia Department of Health.

Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are the species most likely to transmit Zika if it were to appear in Virginia in mosquitoes. They breed only in containers of water, not in puddles or swamps.

To help prevent the mosquitoes from breeding, you should tip containers of any standing water, including garbage cans, flower pots and buckets.

They also recommend you toss any old containers such as tires and pans, essentially anything that can hold water. Pet water bowls and bird baths should also be emptied and scrubbed.

The Virginia Department of Health also recommends if you are outside to cover up with long pants, sock and use and EPA registered repellent.