Seven Steps to Mosquito-Free Living
Mosquitoes can make gardening uncomfortable and turn porch sitting into a chore.
But by following these seven simple steps, you can safely reduce mosquito
populations, have a more enjoyable summer, and protect yourself from diseases
that mosquitoes help spread. Here's what you can do:
1. Reduce the number of breeding sites on your property.
Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. The eggs hatch into larvae
about three days later, and about 12 days after that, adults emerge and fly
away. Considering that each female can lay up to 400 eggs and the life cycle
is complete in about two weeks, you can see why mosquito populations can
increase so quickly.
Reducing the amount of standing water around your home will minimize breeding
sites and reduce the number of mosquitoes. Some places to look include clogged
rain gutters, tree holes, potholes, old tires, discarded cans and containers
and the saucers of your outdoor flower pots.
2. Kill mosquito larvae where the insects breed.
If you have standing water you want and enjoy, such as a birdbath, one option
is to change the water every week. In water gardens or ponds you can use
Mosquito Control Rings
which contain a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae for 30 days.
3. Remove algae from ponds.
Mosquito larvae feed on algae and other small organisms that live in water.
Oxygenating plants, and a
Barley Ball
will help keep ponds and water gardens clear.
4. Repel mosquitoes from your living space.
While the first three steps will reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard,
they probably won't eliminate them. That's where safe, natural mosquito
repellents come in: With
Mosquito & Gnat Powder,
you can protect 4,000 square feet of your yard. The
Patio Mosquito Repeller
uses a botanical extract called geraniol to repel mosquitoes from a 200- to
300-square-foot area. The
Solar Mosquito Repeller
protects 100 square feet, using a scent that interferes with mosquitoes' sense of smell.
5. Exclude mosquitoes from your home.
Keeping windows and screens shut to exclude mosquitoes seems straightforward
enough, but it can be hard to do. The ingenious
Bug-Barrier Screen
helps by automatically shutting behind you as you walk through the door.
Light attracts mosquitoes and other insects, so after dark you should also
minimize outdoor lighting.
6. Increase the number of mosquito predators in your yard.
Bats and swallows love to eat mosquitoes. Install a shelter, like a bat or
birdhouse, to help attract predators to your yard.
7. Enlist your neighbors to help.
An adult mosquito will fly about two miles from its breeding site (even further
if blown by the wind). So get your neighbors on board!
These easy steps can help you control mosquito populations in your yard--and
make gardening more comfortable and safer.
If you have any questions, contact us
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Shopper's Guide
Pest Control: Products for helping you control mosquitoes.
Mosquito Facts
There are over 2,500 species of mosquitoes in the world and 150 in the U.S.
Nectar from plants is the primary food for both male and female mosquitoes.
Female mosquitoes must feed on blood in order to produce fertile eggs. In fact, a female mosquito requires one "blood meal" for every batch of eggs she lays.
The welts that appear after a mosquito leaves isn-t from the bite - it's an allergic reaction to saliva the mosquito injected under the skin to prevent the blood from clotting.
Most adult mosquitoes live for about two weeks.
Mosquitoes are attracted to light, warmth, perspiration, body odor and carbon dioxide.
Mosquitoes can transmit many different diseases including West Nile Virus.
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