Mosquito Prevention and Protection

Last summer my yard was nearly uninhabitable because of mosquitoes. Survey results from the neighborhood indicates I am not the only one. These pesky insects not only irritate, but they carry disease like West Nile Virus and Arboviral Encephalitis. So my mission this year is to fight the bite!

A multi-pronged approach is the best way to beat mosquitoes. First, prevent outbreaks by managing areas prone to standing water. Keep your gutters clear, fill low spots in your yard, store buckets, flower pots and recycling bins where they won’t collect rainwater. Larvae need at least 7-10 days to hatch adult mosquitoes, so if you empty and rinse out bird baths weekly, they will not be a breeding area. Use larvicides such as Mosquito Dunks in corrugated drain pipes (they can be used in gutters and ponds as well).

Next, protect yourself from adult mosquitoes. Inspect your window screens and repair any holes to keep pests from getting into the house. Wear light colored clothing – mosquitoes are attracted the most by black and red. Use a repellant spray or lotion when you go outside. Keep in mind that repellants reduce the effectiveness of sunscreens.

Citronella candles will also help deter the pests. For problem yards, a mosquito trap may help. The best traps use multiple lures – CO2, scent and heat. Do not expect them to completely eliminate mosquitoes. Bug zappers kill many flying insects, but very few mosquitoes.

Very soon, with the help of our webmaster Steve, I will post more detailed information, including lab testing results of mosquito repellants and other products on the association website.