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.

MOSQUITO REDUCTION PUBLICATIONS