There is nothing worse than an unwanted house guest, especially when they do nothing but suck you dry. Mosquitoes have nasty habits of buzzing around; causing itchy bite marks and making many grab the nearest can of bug repellent. Enjoy the outdoors this summer and stop the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses by following tips from the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) to prevent mosquito infestation and control an existing problem.
“Over the last few years, the U.S. has had increased cases of mosquito-borne illnesses such as the West Nile Virus. Furthermore, other exotic diseases such as Zika Virus, dengue fever and Chikungunya threaten our shores,” said AMCA Technical Advisor Joe Conlon. “To ensure the safety of family, friends and pets, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re taking the proper steps: first, reducing mosquito breeding through water management and source reduction, and second, reducing adult mosquito populations.”
One of the easiest and most crucial thing to do is to remove any stagnant water you have around your property. Empty pots, tarps, tools and trash cans of any water that has collected as they are all breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
If a mosquito problem already exists, AMCA recommends controlling adult mosquitoes through mosquito traps, space sprays and vegetation management. Mosquitoes can also be kept out of the home by keeping windows, doors and porches tightly screened.
“Eliminating standing water is probably the most important thing to remember when preventing or controlling mosquito problems. Keep it in the back of your mind during all outdoor activities – even remember to irrigate lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days,” added Conlon.
AMCA reminds the public to practice the THREE D’s of mosquito prevention — Drain, Dress and Defend:
- Drain: Empty out water containers at least once per week
- Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
- Defend: Properly apply an approved repellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus
Mosquito Control Awareness Week is June 26-July 2.
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