A simple solution to combating the threat of the Zika virus is to drain water from any containers in your yard since it's the preferred habitat for breeding the mosquitoes that carry the infection, according to the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County.
"It only takes about a quarter inch of water for these guys to reproduce," said Rob Krueger, Pinellas County Mosquito Control. "If we can get them at the larvae stage... that’s our optimum control method."
Statewide there have been 16 cases reported, three of those in Hillsborough County.
"Currently in Pinellas County we do not have any cases," said JoAnne Lamb, epidemiology manager. "In Florida, there have been travel associated cases."
Health leaders said the Zika virus can cause birth defects in pregnant women but the symptoms are mild for most anyone else who's infected.
"There’s actually no treatment for Zika virus. So, an individual normally will recover," Lamb said. "It is up to 80 percent of individuals who get infected actually don’t develop symptoms."
Pinellas County mosquito control said if you live next to a vacant home with a pool or other standing water give them a call and a specialist will check it out.
"A lot of our service calls are for things like empty lots," Krueger said.
Concerned residents can call Pinellas County mosquito control at (727)464-7503.