In your enthusiasm to cultivate greenery to beautify your homes, are you also breeding the dangerous Aedes mosquito that can transmit dengue virus? Enjoy gardening and be dengue free. Read more to find out how you can prevent mosquito breeding in your plants.

Dengue is endemic with year round transmission in Singapore. Singapore’s tropical climate and urban setting are favourable for the propagation of Aedes mosquito, which transmits Dengue Fever (DF). These factors increase the risk of secondary infection, which may lead to Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF).

There is no drug for dengue fever. It can be avoided through measures to prevent mosquito breeding and to protect oneself against mosquito bites. Aedes mosquitoes are identified by the black and white stripes on their body. The key to dengue prevention is to get rid of stagnant water that can breed Aedes mosquitoes in our homes and surroundings.

Preventive measures include removing water from flower-pot plates on alternate days, avoiding the use of flower-pot plates and clearing leaves from perimeter drains once a week. Visit the x-dengue website for details to mosquito proof your home and surroundings.

Personal measures include the use of insect repellent, making an effort to wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeved shirts when outdoors for long period of time or when the Aedes mosquitoes are most active (during the day).

Protect yourself and your loved ones from dengue. Practise the 10-minute Mozzie Wipe-Out everyday.

 

Tips To Prevent Mosquito Breeding In Plants

 

Flower-pot Plates Remove water from flowerpot plates every other day. If possible, do not use them.

	Plants (with big leaf axils) Check leaf axils for stagnant water especially after heavy rain fall. Apply sand granular insecticide if water cannot be removed. Perforate holes on leaf axils to allow rainwater to drain off. If possible, avoid planting plants with big leaf axils (e.g. Traveller's palm & yam plant).

Hydroponics Seal up the holes for unused sections.

Hardened Soil Loosen hardened soil in flowerpots.

Gardening Tools Store all gardening tools under shelter. After watering the plants, overturn all watering cans and store under shelter.