With the Olympics starting and the news that it's been found in some U.S. states, the threat of the Zika virus has people even here in Minnesota concerned.  While there are no reports of it in our state yet, it has been found in in mosquitoes in Florida, so it could be making its way north.

The virus is spread by mosquitoes, which we jokingly refer to as our state bird.  The best protection against any mosquito-borne illnesses near you is to eliminate breeding grounds. Keep them away from your home and yard by removing standing water. This includes water  build-up that might be in your gutters.  When gutters don't drain right because they are sagging or clogged, this creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Skip the troubles of having them there by doing the proper gutter maintenance.

Clean Out the Gutters

By cleaning out the gutters around your home, you’re essentially removing any build-up inside them. You can do this by using a broom and pushing the debris out, while also ensuring that there are no clogs in the downspouts.  Check the water flow by putting a garden hose at the top of the downspout.  If the water doesn't quickly flow out, you've got a clog that should be removed.   Any debris left inside the gutters or downspouts can cause the water to pool, creating the breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Of course, if you do not feel confident about cleaning out your own gutters, you can hire a professional gutter maintenance company to do it for you.  And while you or your pro are cleaning out the gutters, they should be inspected for sagging or other problems that slow down water flow.  If this is found, they should be repaired as soon as possible.

Preventing the Spread of Diseases

While the Zika virus is not widespread in the US at the moment, that does not mean that mosquitoes will not carry other diseases. They are one of the deadliest insects on the planet. By removing these built-up areas around your home, you’re cutting down on the mosquito issue. Keep in mind that your pets can also become sick due to mosquito bites.

In order to keep everyone happy and healthy, speak with a professional gutter company that can come out and do maintenance and repairs on the gutters around your home. Keeping the water flowing and not sitting is one of the best things you can do when mosquitoes come out to play.

Quarve Contracting, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota home remodeling contractor, and among our other services we offer installation and repair of seamless steel gutters in the Minnepolis and St. Paul area.