With more than 11.5 inches of rainfall this month in parts of southcentral Kentucky, there are still areas of standing water, something that can create a potential health hazard.

“Any time water stands longer than two or three days at a time, there is a chance for mosquitoes to breed,” said David Burton, an environmentalist with the Barren River District Health Department. “So you should try to get rid of standing water, but right now that’s really hard.”

Short of waiting for fields or low-lying areas to evaporate, residents can do some things to protect themselves and their families. Small basins of standing water such as bird baths and animal water dishes or buckets should be changed every few days.

Residents also can check with their county governments or the state Department of Agriculture to see if they can get on a list for spraying, Burton said.

Homeowners also could try purchasing pellets or “doughnuts” containing a larvicide to place in standing water. The pellets or doughnuts break down and are eaten by the mosquito larvae.

“That is something we haven’t used in this part of the state, though,” Burton said.

Burton said residents should be particularly vigilant about removing breeding grounds close to their homes.

Mosquitoes, after all, carry such diseases as the West Nile virus. The virus can cause fever, rash and swollen glands, lasting from a few days to weeks. A more severe case can result in tremors, convulsions or even coma.

In 2009, three cases of human West Nile were reported in Kentucky, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Texas had the most cases with 115.

“We don’t really survey for West Nile anymore,” Burton said. “We just assume it’s here, so we haven’t collected a mosquito in about three years.”

Because of the chance for disease spread, residents should avoid high mosquito traffic times – dawn, dusk or early evening. If residents – particularly the very young or old – have to go out, they should wear long sleeves.

Burton also suggests that residents wear insect repellent.

“The CDC has several pages (www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm) about good repellents to use,” he said.

It recommends using products that contain DEET or picaridin.

“It also recommends something called oil of lemon eucalyptus that sounds a little more organic for people who don’t want to use chemicals,” Burton said. “Anyone who uses repellents should read the directions and be cautious.”

Most are recommended for application to clothing and not to the skin.

The state Department of Public Health recommends that homeowners report to their health departments any pools, with water, that have been abandoned in their neighborhood and to keep in mind their family pets when preventing mosquito bites. They also are susceptible to West Nile.