REDUCING MOSQUITOES
Reducing Mosquitoes Around Your Home
Yards are the #1 source for mosquito production. Anything that can hold water for more than five to seven days has the ability to produce mosquitoes. Maintain, manage or eliminate all types of standing water on a regular basis. Keep in mind that mosquitoes need as little as a 1/2 inch of water to complete their life cycle, therefore some areas may not be as obvious as others.
Inspect these potential mosquito breeding areas around your home.
MOSQUITO SOURCES AND WAYS TO REDUCE THEM
FISH PONDS
- Stock pond with mosquitofish
- Remove excess emergent vegetation
SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS
- Keep water off covers
- Keep chlorinated
- Use filter regularly
STANDING WATER
- Eliminate by draining
TREE HOLES
- Fill hole with sand or mortar
- Contact an arborist
CONTAINERS
- Empty water
- Dispose or turn over
- Cover so mosquitoes cannot enter
BIRD BATHS
- Change water at least once a week
WADING POOLS
- Drain water when not in use
- Cover so mosquitoes cannot enter
WATERING TROUGHS
- Stock with mosquitofish or change water frequently
STREET GUTTER OR CATCH BASIN
- Do not dispose of litter or garden debris in gutters or catch basins
- Avoid over-irrigation
- If gutters are holding water, sweep to nearest basin
PET WATER BOWLS
- Change water frequently
ROOF GUTTERS
- Keep clean and free of debris
IRRIGATED LAWNS AND FIELDS
- Avoid over-irrigation
MOSQUITO LIFE CYCLE
Mosquitoes need water to exist! This illustration shows the mosquito life cycle from egg to larva to pupa to adult. You can prevent mosquitoes from developing by removing or draining any stagnant water around your home. During peak summer temperatures some mosquitoes can complete their life cycle in as little as 4 to 7 days, however the average length is about 14 days.
