Mosquitoes like this one use pools of standing water as breeding sites.
Mosquitoes are common pests, particularly during the summer. The females, known colloquially as midges, are frequent biters and can cause painful, itching swells on human skin as well as transmit various parasites. Mosquitoes breed using any standing water they can find as a nest, in what may be referred to as "mosquito pools." Does this Spark an idea?
Basics
Mosquitoes breed exclusively in standing water. Their larvae feed off microscopic marine organisms and free-swim for the first several days of their lives. The tiny mosquito babies can often be seen swimming around the water in these mosquito pools. They use undulating jerks for locomotion, lending them the nickname "wrigglers." The mosquito babies will undergo metamorphosis within a few days and take to the air.
Mosquito Pools
Any body of standing water can be a potential mosquito pool, provided the water is not circulating. This includes water in upturned tires, buckets, glasses, wheelbarrows, gutters, plastic food containers or even unused swimming pools. The more mosquito pools in a backyard, then inevitably the more mosquitoes will inhabit it. Virtually any object that can hold water is a potential mosquito pool after a rainstorm.
Prevention
You can eliminate mosquito pools by turning over any objects that could potentially hold water. This includes putting tarps over wheelbarrows or buckets and bringing any items like food containers or bowls or glasses inside. Run the filter on your swimming pool to keep the water circulating. The moving water will prevent mosquitoes from laying any eggs.
Other Tips
You can use chemicals if the mosquito problem gets out of hand despite your elimination of mosquito pools. DEET is a common ingredient in insecticide spray that can wipe out mosquito populations, but it can be dangerous to beneficial insects or even you or your pets. Citronella is a natural repellent that you can burn as candles. The scent will often keep mosquitoes at bay.
Tags: standing water, mosquito pools, food containers, hold water, mosquito babies