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The spread of the often-fatal West Nile virus has made all of us more aware of the need for mosquito control in our communities. And while the West Nile virus may be getting the most headlines, mosquitos in the US are responsible for other problems, ranging from skin irritations to encephalitis, another potentially fatal disease. People in other parts of the world must deal with even more diseases spread by mosquitoes.
Our pets can be affected by many of the same mosquito borne illnesses, too, including types of encephalitis and the West Nile virus. Another problem is heartworms, a serious parasite that infects dogs, cats, and some wildlife.
The big push to eliminate mosquitoes must be managed by our individual communities, but controlling them is a somewhat easier task when each of us contributes to the effort by monitoring areas around our homes where mosquitoes reproduce.
Mosquito Life Cycle - Just the Basics
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water--ponds, lakes, the wet grooves of old tires, birdbaths, a child's wading pool, plugged gutters and drains. Any object that collects water is a potential breeding place for mosquitoes.
Eggs develop into larvae, which continue to live in the water until they mature into the next stage, called pupae. After a few days the pupae become adult mosquitoes.
Mosquito Control Around Your Home
The type of mosquito control we use depends on which stage of the insect we are dealing with.
Larvae, Pupae Control
- Eliminate All Standing Water
Water standing on boat and pool covers, improperly draining septic systems, damp holes in tree stumps, small ditches, birdbaths, old rubber tires. Remove any area of stagnant water that remains for longer than two days.
- Ornamental Ponds
Stock ponds with minnows that feed on mosquitoes. For unstocked ponds, use products such as Mosquito Bits or Mosquito Dunks to control larvae.
- Call your Public Health officials if you find large pools of stagnant water that you as an individual cannot deal with.
Adult Mosquito Control
Controlling adult mosquitoes can be accomplished using chemical and non-chemical products and methods. Do some research on each product to determine if it is safe and effective.
- Mosquito Traps
Some emit carbon dioxide and other attractants that make the mosquitoes think they are approaching a tasty mammal. Instead, they are sucked into a trap where they die. There are a great number of electrical traps and zappers.
- Chemicals
Sprays and room foggers can be used indoors. Portable insect foggers are used to spray outdoor areas, usually malathion or pyrethrins.
- Eliminate Weeds
Mosquitoes rest on weeds and other short vegetation. Keep weeds to a minimum and mow your grass regularly. Apply insecticides to shrubbery and low tree limbs.
Mosquito Repellents
Control is the primary goal, but even the best programs won't totally eliminate mosquitoes, so you must take steps to prevent mosquito bites. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers a great deal of advice about preventing mosquito bites.
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