Mosquitoes Management

Almost everyone has had the unpleasant experience of being bitten by a mosquito. Mosquito bites can cause skin irritation through an allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva – this is what causes the red bump and itching. But a more serious consequence of some mosquito bites may be transmission of certain serious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and several forms of encephalitis, including West Nile virus.

Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, but they also can transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs and horses are very susceptible to. These include dog heart worms, eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.
There are about 200 different species of mosquitoes in the United States, all of which live in specific habitats, exhibit unique behaviors and bite different types of animals. Despite these differences, all mosquitoes share some common traits, such as a four-stage life cycle.

Different species of mosquitoes prefer different types of standing water in which to lay their eggs. The presence of beneficial predators such as fish and dragonfly nymphs in permanent ponds, lakes and streams usually keep these bodies of water relatively free of mosquito larvae.

However, portions of marshes, swamps, clogged ditches and temporary pools and puddles are all prolific mosquito breeding sites. Other sites in which some species lay their eggs include:

  • Tree holes
  • Old tires
  • Buckets
  • Toys
  • Potted plant trays and saucers
  • Plastic covers or tarpaulins
  • Places as small as bottle caps!

Prevent

Get rid of any standing water around your home. The most common places for this are containers you may have in your yard or on your patio. Garbage cans also catch water easily. Since mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, it’s a good idea to keep any that’s around you to a minimum.

Clean your pool daily if you have one. During mosquito season, they are the perfect place for the bugs to grow.

What You Can Do With Our Help and Advice

Switch your outdoor light bulbs to sodium lights. Not only do they use less energy than regular bulbs, they also emit a different wavelength of light. Regular halogen bulbs attract mosquitoes and other bugs, but sodium light bulbs actually attract them less.

Drop some mosquito dunks in any natural ponds or waterways that are near your home. These release all-natural larvicides that kill mosquito larvae without harming fish or other life forms in the water. It also kills black fly larvae.

Look out for new standing water locations whenever it rains. One rain can increase mosquito populations quickly.