Spending time in her garden has been one of Pamela Wilson's favorite past times. There's just one thing that has really bugged her.
"I don't like getting bitten by mosquitos. Matter of fact my husband will tell you that. As soon as one bites me I'm going in the house, it's over," she said.
Like many Middle Tennessee residents, Wilson lives in Bordeaux, an area where mosquito-borne illnesses have been a problem.
"This very street right here has tested positive for West Nile. All through this neighborhood where we put out traps every year have tested positive for West Nile," said John Primm, with the Metro Health Department.
The health department has been wanting to make sure residents know how to prevent mosquitos from breeding.
Employees and volunteers spent Saturday going door to door, talking with residents and inspecting their properties.
"Saucers underneath potted plants, if there's no holes in them they can accumulate standing water and a good thing to remember is mosquitos can breed in any standing water between three and seven days," Rachel Majors explained.
Bite prevention has also been key locally and abroad where the Zika virus has continued to be a growing concern.
"My oldest who had our grand baby, we were concerned especially with the Zika virus, making sure that she protects herself," said Wilson.
While mosquitos have not tested positive for the Zika virus in Middle Tennessee, the area has been considered to be at a moderate risk for the virus, making it all the more important to keep the mosquito population at a minimum.
"The fact that you have unused pots turned upside down is excellent," Majors explained to Wilson.
For more information about mosquitos, as well as the West Nile and Zika viruses in Middle Tennessee, click here.
