Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project
Experience has taught mosquito control personnel that homeowners can create their own mosquito problems. Homeowners can do some simple things that
will reduce the number of mosquitoes in their yard. It is possible to generate
large amounts of mosquitoes around the home with small amounts of water. Not
only are these insects pests they also play a significant role in the
transmission of West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes can have many generations in one year and in the heat of the summer
they can go from egg to adult in about a week. The best way to prevent mosquito
production is to remove any objects that hold water from your yard. Below is a
list of common objects or places that produce mosquitoes.
1.
Gutters. Rain gutters on houses tend to fill up with leaves and other things
that clog the gutters. This material can cause gutters to hold water long enough
to produce mosquitoes.
2. Swimming pools. Any pool is large enough to produce ample mosquitoes to
bother the whole neighborhood. Keep your children’s pool full of clean water
and make sure all swimming pools do not become full of algae or leaves. Pool
covers can also hold a significant number of mosquitoes. Some mosquito larvae
hatch out in March, so these covers should be removed and the pools filled with
chlorinated water as soon as practical in the spring or summer.
3. Tires. Old tires are notorious for producing large numbers of mosquitoes. If
you are storing tires, put them in a shed or garage. If you have a tire swing,
put a hole in the bottom of it so it can not hold water.
4. Flower pots. Old flower pots or the dishes underneath the pot can hold enough
water to produce mosquitoes.
5. Garbage and recycling cans. Make sure there are holes in the VERY bottom of
your garbage can.
6. Tarps. Frequently people use tarps to cover items such as wood, boats or to
make a fort. Always keep the tarp tight and drain any water off the tarp. Any
depressions in the tarp can hold enough water to produce mosquitoes.
7. Boats. Any boat, or tarp covering a boat, can hold water. Make sure the
plug in the bottom of the boat is open so water can drain from it. Or better
yet, put your boat in the garage or turn it over so it can’t hold any water.
8. Other: buckets, soda cans, washing machines, old cars, refrigerators, bird
baths, watering troughs, bath tubs and basements.
If you have mosquitoes inside your house, check your window screens to make sure
there are no holes in them. Even small holes can allow a mosquito to enter the
house. Mosquitoes can also be produced in the crawl spaces under your house or
in your basement. Eliminate any standing water in these areas.
Mosquito Control Methods - New Jersey Mosquito Control
American Mosquito Control Association
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