Minimizing mosquito breeding sites on your property can go a long way to reducing their population to a tolerable level and minimizing the risk of disease. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as 1 tsp of water. Under optimal conditions, a mosquito egg can become an adult in as little as 5 – 7 days.
Following are some tips and techniques to assist you in gaining better control of mosquito breeding areas.
- Make weekly inspections of your property. Dump water out of anything that can hold 1 tsp or more of water. Common items include pet bowls, flower pots, watering cans, and children’s toys.
- Birdbaths and temporary kiddie pools should be rinsed and scrubbed out weekly.
- Drill holes into the bottom of garbage cans and recycling bins.
- Tree holes and tree stumps that hold water for longer than 4 days can breed mosquitoes. Tree holes should be filled with spray foam, meanwhile tree stumps can be removed or covered with dirt.
- Recycle used tires. Any re-purposed tire needs to have a hole drilled in it to drain water.
- Clean gutters routinely to ensure they are not clogged and drain fully.
- Clean up yard debris. Remove and dispose of artificial objects such as old boats, aluminum cans, and landscaping bags.
- Store canoes, kayaks, boats and jet skis in such a way to prevent standing water.
- Use rain barrels specifically designed for saving water. Many brands are designed to keep bugs and debris out of the water. Make sure they have secure lids and 1/16 of an inch fine wire mesh at all openings to prevent mosquitoes from gaining entry into the barrel.
- Catch basins and french drains need to drain completely of water. Replace any accordion-style gutter extension with one that doesn’t hold water.
- Water gardens and small ponds need to have appropriate water movement through the use of a waterfall, fountain or other aerators.
These steps are some of the very things our technicians look for and address when servicing a customers yard. You too can use these tips and techniques to greatly decrease the mosquito population in your yard. Ultimately providing you with a more enjoyable outdoor experience.