Here are some steps consumers can take to help keep mosquitoes from breeding on their property.
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Destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water. Don’t allow water to accumulate in the saucers of flowerpots, cemetery urns or in pet dishes for more than two days.
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Clean debris from rain gutters and remove any standing water under or around structures, or on flat roofs. Check around faucets and air conditioner units and repair leaks or eliminate puddles that remain for several days.
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Change the water in birdbaths and wading pools at least once a week and stock ornamental pools with top feeding predacious minnows. Known as mosquito fish, these minnows are about 1 – 1-1/2 inches in length and can be purchased or native fish can be seined from streams and creeks locally. Ornamental pools may be treated with biorational larvicides [Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) or S-methoprene (IGR) containing products] under certain circumstances. Commercial products “Mosquito Dunks” and “Mosquito Bits” containing Bti can be purchased at many hardware/garden stores for homeowner use. Wellmark International, a division of Central Life Sciences, has developed Pre-Strike Mosquito Torpedo that kills developing mosquitoes using insect growth regulator (IGR) technology. Like Mosquito Dunks, Pre-Strike can be found at many home/garden and pet specialty stores.
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Fill or drain puddles, ditches and swampy areas, and either remove, drain or fill tree holes and stumps with mortar. These areas may be treated with Bti or methoprene products also.
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Eliminate seepage from cisterns, cesspools, and septic tanks.
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Check for trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps used to cover boats, pools, etc. Arrange the tarp to drain the water.
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Check around construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to ensure that proper backfilling and grading prevent drainage problems.
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Irrigate lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days.
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If ditches don’t flow and contain stagnant water for one week or longer, they can produce large numbers of mosquitoes. Report such conditions to a Mosquito Control or Public Health Office. Don’t attempt to clear these ditches because they may be protected by wetland regulations.