Fight the Bite of the Hated Mosquito

Reclaim Your Yard and Save Lives in Africa Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 27,000 cases of mosquito-borne West Nile virus have been reported in the U.S. since 1999. CDC also reports that malaria — another mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite — is preventable but kills more than one million people each year, 90 percent of whom are children in Africa.

Pest control leader Orkin, Inc. is prepared to Fight the Bite to save lives in Africa and help American homeowners reclaim their yards by waging war on mosquitoes and the deadly diseases they can carry. In 2008, Orkin and its sister pest control companies will donate at least $100,000 for 10,000 long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets to Nothing But Nets, a campaign of the U.N. Foundation dedicated to malaria prevention in Africa. Studies show that communitywide use of these nets can reduce malaria transmission as much as 90 percent in areas with the greatest mosquito populations.

“At Orkin, we’re committed to helping protect public health, which is why we have targeted programs to fight and reduce pest populations like mosquitoes,” said Orkin President and COO Glen Rollins. “We are excited to partner with Nothing But Nets on such a worthwhile campaign to save lives in Africa.”

Orkin will donate a mosquito net through Nothing But Nets for every mosquito service sold this season (April 1 – Aug. 31). One hundred percent of the proceeds from each $10 donation is used to purchase and distribute the net and educate African communities about its proper use. Orkin also encourages employees and customers to donate nets directly at Orkin: Fight the Bite.

Although malaria has been eliminated from the U.S., mosquitoes in our own backyards can spread West Nile and other viruses that can cause encephalitis.

To help reduce mosquito populations around your home, Orkin and CDC experts offer these tips:

• Mosquitoes can breed in only a thimble-full of water. Remove water from gutters, flower pots and other containers.

• Point downspouts away from home.

• When outdoors, wear repellant containing DEET, picaridn or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions.

• Contact a pest control professional to assess your yard’s potential breeding spots and provide responsible control techniques.

Learn more about Orkin’s mosquito service and how you can help Orkin Fight the Bite at nets.orkin.com. For more information about malaria and Nothing But Nets, visit NothingButNets.net.

Mosquitoes are disease-carrying pests that can transmit malaria and West Nile virus. Help Orkin Fight the Bite of mosquitoes.

Did You Know?

Pest control leader Orkin, Inc. is prepared to Fight the Bite to save lives in Africa and help American homeowners reclaim their yards. To learn more, visit nets.orkin.com.