Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar.
Mosquitoes are frustrating. They can make any trip into your yard a nightmare as they buzz around your body looking for blood and leaving behind an itchy welt. Not only are they pesky, they can be dangerous. Mosquitoes are known to carry harmful diseases like West Nile virus. Fortunately there are simple ways to keep mosquitoes from overwhelming your house and property. Does this Spark an idea?
Biology
According to the University of Kentucky, successful mosquito control requires knowing a little about them. Every mosquito goes through four life stages. Some species lay their eggs on the surface of standing water. Others lay their eggs at the base of vegetation in areas that flood or in any hollow container, like a tin can or bucket, that may occasionally fill up with water. When water inundates these areas, the eggs will hatch. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae are called wrigglers. The larvae wriggle through the water feeding on microorganisms and coming to the surface to breath. The larvae will grow rapidly if the water is warm. They will then molt and turn into pupae called tumblers. Within a few days, the tumblers turn into adults. Depending on the weather, the entire process can happen as quickly as a week. Adult females feed on blood and can live for more than a month. Male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar.
Larval Control
If your home is overrun by mosquitoes, the first step you can take is to eliminate breeding sites. Get rid of any standing water in buckets, tin cans, old tires, or anything else that can hold water. Do not let water stand in flower pot saucers or dog dishes for more than two days. Keep your gutters clean and repair leaky faucets or air conditioner units. Change the water in birdbaths and wading pools weekly. Check tarps that cover boats or ATVs to ensure no water is pooling in creases. Stock ponds with predacious minnows known as mosquito fish. They feed on larvae and pupae and will naturally reduce populations. Fill in holes or swampy areas around your home to eliminate standing water during wet weather. Essentially, if it holds water, it can hold mosquito eggs. If you're worried about a ditch or natural area around your home you can call your local public health office to have it inspected and the problem corrected.
Adult Control
Adult mosquitoes like to rest on tall weeds or shaded areas during the day. If mosquitoes are resting on your house during the day it may be because your house is shaded by tall trees. Or, they may be attracted by tall weeds or other plants near the foundation of your house. Keep weeds and plants clear from the foundation and keep all other plants and trees pruned. Insecticides can be sprayed on the lower limbs of shade trees and on shrubs and plants near the house. Pesticides may need to be reapplied regularly and should be used with caution and according to manufacturer's instructions.
Mosquito Borne Disease
Mosquito control is about more than just eliminating a bothersome pest. Some mosquitoes can carry deadly diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mosquitoes can carry several forms of encephalitis, West Nile virus, Dengue fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever and yellow fever. The CDC tracks outbreaks of these diseases and works with local governments and the EPA to help control problem mosquito swarms.
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