We’ve had a lot of rain this spring and early summer, and mosquitos are out in full force! There are many health-related risks related to mosquito bites, as well as making us very uncomfortable, which makes reducing their numbers important. Some pesticide sprays can also kill beneficial insects and pollinators so please use those sparingly, and only in early morning or late in the day when most pollinators are not active.
Here are a few suggestions for how to reduce mosquito populations. (Share these with your neighbors since mosquitos have a wide range for finding victims to bite.)
- Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds – anywhere water stands for more than 2 days. Unclog gutters, turn over containers, dump & tighten sagging tarps or outdoor furniture covers, eliminate ponding areas in your yard (contact us if you need help with this), and remove non-native, dense groundcovers such as English Ivy which provides a humid environment that mosquitos like.
- Change water in your bird bath and outdoor pet water bowls regularly. If you have a small ornamental pond, consider using Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to kill larvae.
- If you have a pond, use a fountain or bubbler to keep water moving. Stock with fish and provide habitat for other mosquito and larvae eaters such as frogs, toads, dragonflies and damselflies.
- Use lethal oviposition traps—traps that attract and kill egg-laying female Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger) mosquitoes and larvae. Commercial versions of these traps are commonly called GAT traps.
For more help, contact the Marion County Health Department at https://marionhealth.org/programs/environmental-health/mosquito-control/
Get outside and enjoy the rest of the summer! Making your neighborhood less hospitable to mosquitos will make your outdoor times much more enjoyable.
