We are having an excellent late spring. The moisture has been a real blessing, tanks are getting filled up, and there is an abundance of standing water in most low areas and ditches. These are perfect conditions for mosquito breeding, and we can expect populations to be very high. All these mosquitos will be looking for warm bodies to feed on. Male mosquitos only feed on nectar and plant juices; it is the pesky female mosquito that is such an irritant. The female mosquitos require a blood meal as a source of protein before they produce eggs. With the substantial number of mosquito borne illnesses, everyone wants to do their best to keep the mosquito numbers low around their home. Here are a few ideas to help control the mosquito population around your home.
The first step should be to eliminate breeding sites; these include anything that holds water.
Eliminate containers such as old tires, buckets, cans, and bottles that collect and hold rainwater and become good breeding sites for mosquitoes. Drain water from flowerpots, bird baths, rain gutters, rain barrels, pet dishes, livestock watering troughs, etc. at least once a week. Kids wading pools should also be emptied at least weekly. Holes in trees that hold water are excellent breeding sites for mosquitos; they should be filled with sand or mortar to keep them from holding water.
Not all standing water can be emptied so easily, for permanent bodies of water you can use various fish species that will eat the mosquito larvae. Use Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis products such as Mosquito Dunks to treat smaller permanent water bodies. You can also use oil treatments on the surface of standing water to kill larvae. Use commercial products according to the instructions on the product label. Be aware that other organisms in the water body may be affected by the treatment.
To help lower adult mosquito populations around your home, eliminate mosquito resting areas.
Mow tall grass or reduce the amount of brush and other foliage in your area to reduce the resting sites for adult mosquitoes. For temporary relief in yards or high traffic areas, use fog treatments or surface treatments of insecticides that are labeled for that use and apply them following directions on the product label. You can also achieve some short-term control around porches or patios by using citronella candles or punks as a deterrent. Be sure to protect your pets from heartworms which are transmitted by mosquitoes.
Even if you are doing a really good job of controlling breeding areas, some mosquito species will travel long distances for a blood meal. So many times, just avoiding contact with mosquitos is the best protection.
- Use screening in your homes and keep the screens in good repair and be sure that they seal around the frames of the door or window.
- Schedule outdoor activities during times when mosquitoes are not active. Mosquito species that are active at dusk and dawn can often be avoided. Species that bite throughout the day are more difficult to avoid.
- When working outside wear long, loose-fitting clothing to avoid mosquito bites- use head nets when mosquitoes are very abundant.
- Use repellents whenever in a mosquito infested location. Products that contain DEET have been shown to be the most reliable repellents.
Controlling and avoiding mosquitoes is important not only because they are a nuisance, but also because they transmit many disease-causing organisms to humans and animals.