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Mosquito
breeding around the home can be reduced significantly by reducing the amount
of standing water available for mosquito breeding.
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers,
ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated
on your property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown
by any type of vegetation.
- Pay special attention to discarded tires that
may have accumulated on your property. The used tire has become the most
important domestic mosquito producer in this country.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling
containers that are left out of doors. Drainage holes that are located
on the sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in.
- Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis,
particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to
plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce
millions of mosquitoes each season.
- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in
use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a
regular basis.
- Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water
to stagnate in bird baths. Both provide breeding habitat for domestic
mosquitoes.
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with
fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers
if they are allowed to stagnate.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are
not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended by a family that
goes on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in
neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in
the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
- Use landscaping to eliminate standing water
that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle
that lasts more than 4 days.
- If you have wetlands in your area you may be
tempted to put something in there to control mosquitoes - IT IS A
VIOLATION OF THE WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT FOR ANYONE TO ALTER A WETLAND
IN ANY WAY WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM THE LOCAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
Please call our office if you have a wetland in your area. We are
trained and allowed to use mosquito control products in these types of
areas. This service is provided free of charge to residents of our
member cities and towns.
- Often people use a tarp to cover items such as
firewood or boats. Always keep the tarp tight and drain any water off the
surface. Any depressions in the tarp can hold enough water to produce
many mosquitoes each week.
- Boats can hold rainwater. Make sure the plug
in the bottom of the boat is open so water can drain from it. Or better
yet, put your boat in the garage or turn it over so it can't hold any
water.
- Habitat management in your yard may be of
benefit. While mosquitoes do not reproduce in tall grass or shrubs, any
areas with shade may serve to harbor mosquitoes during the daytime. If
you can keep grass cut short (4 in. or less), keep shrubs & trees
trimmed, and keep low brush away from the areas you like to use in your
yard, you may be able to minimize your exposure to mosquitoes. Sun and
wind will help to keep large numbers of mosquitoes away from your area.
- If you have mosquitoes inside your house,
check your window screens to make sure there are no holes in them. Even
small holes can allow a mosquito to enter the house.
For more
information on the control of mosquitoes in your area, please contact your local mosquito control agency, or
contact your Board of Health.
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