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 Eliminate Mosquitoes in Your Backyard
Mosquitoes are an all too familiar part of summer. They are not only annoying, but they present a potential health risk as carriers of disease. Eliminating mosquito habitats around your home can go a long way to reduce the mosquito population. Mosquitoes require standing water for their young to hatch and develop. Once eggs are laid, a new generation of mosquitoes can hatch, grow and emerge from the water as adults in as little as one week.
It does not take much water for mosquitoes to hatch and grow. For example, the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus prefer to breed in old stagnant water with organic material, whereas the mosquitoes that carry La Crosse encephalitis prefer somewhat cleaner water to lay their eggs and use small containers and crevices that may hold only a cup or two of water. Eliminating mosquito habitats around your home can prevent bites, reduce your risk of disease and make your summer evenings more enjoyable!
Here is a checklist of common and easily overlooked mosquito habitats around the home:
- Tires, buckets, cans, bottles and plastic containers
- Bird baths (drain and refill every 3-4 days)
- Wading or kiddie pools (drain and refill frequently)
- Pools and hot tubs (keep chlorinated, covered or keep completely dry)
- Pool covers that hold water
- Boats, boat covers and tarps
- Pet food containers and water dishes
- Clogged gutters and downspouts
- Leaky outside faucets that create puddles
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- Low areas that form puddles
- Planters and pots, including saucers and catch trays
- Trash cans (use tight fitting lids and keep them covered)
- Rain barrels (screen with fine 1.6 mm mesh)
- Mature trees that have develop cavities or holes that hold water – fill the voids with sand
- ANYTHING that has the potential to hold even small amounts of water
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In addition to eliminating mosquito habitats around your home, you should also protect yourself from mosquito bites.
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