How to Eliminate Mosquitoes

How can we help our communities? By doing what we can to help control disease. But, more so, how can we get educated so that we can help out? Let us purpose to work together with our local authorities, in our backyards, as well as our neighborhoods, to reduce the breeding of a nemesis that can be curtailed; the mosquito.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Insulating foam in a can
• rubber gloves
• eye protection
• ladder (maybe)

1. 
   Inspecting a creek

   Contact your local Mosquito Control District: Here you will find the information you need to go to work in your own back yard, and neighborhood. Go to your local mosquito control agency's web site (our local agency's website is shastamosquito.org)and get familiarized with the information. Download the pamphlets and study them for the fight. If you suspect infestation, have the Vector Control schedule a visit. A prime example of this would be a green swimming pool. 530-365-3768

2. 
   Perfect breeding hole

   Get to the problem: Now that you are armed with directions, search your property for problem areas. Trees with knot holes hold water and can produce a nasty bunch of Western Treehole Mosquitoes. Look for knots like in the picture. Use the insulating foam to fill the hole. This mosquito is responsible for Dog Heartworm.

3. 
   Algie is a perfect indicator

   Look for standing water: Mosquitoes like standing water in any amount to breed in. Tip these over is as simple as it gets. Take note of any other types of containers either natural or man made. The problem might be over the fence, and that is too close for comfort. Keep an eye out for possible neighborhood threats to health. Plastic wading pools, watering troughs, ornamental ponds, old tires, and the like. Swamp coolers, and clogged roof gutters are also likely places.

4. 
   Looking for existing mosquito fish

   Go fishing: Mosquito fishing, that is. If you suspect infestation, The abatement team will, mostly free of charge, introduce mosquito fish to the affected pool or stream. They require no feeding and they do not over breed as they automatically control their numbers. This is important, as West Nile Virus spreads and contaminates the eco-system.

5. New Step: Watch the weather: In Shasta County CA, we've had some warm spring days, after some wet weeks. Just last night, we received a half inch of rain. Now those knot holes in the oak trees will begin to hatch western treehole mosquitoes. Look for these dreaded heartworm breeders and kill them where they live. 4-23-08 7AM 09 spring. here we come. Let's get um early. Ken Swanson

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep an eye out when in local parks or greenbelts
• Bring up the conversation in circles (especially in spring time)
• Keep your animals safe ( you are their protector, and they would do it for you)
• Use the link for more information
• Dawn and dusk are the most active times of the day. Be prepared with clothing and repellent
• Only the female goes for blood

[otchee]

on 10/29/2008 Great information. Thanks!

[jennhollowell]

on 10/21/2008 Great tips! Mosquitoes aren't so much a problem right now, but they were REALLY bad over the summer.

[iamageniuster]

on 10/18/2008 Great tips. 5 stars! Thanks for sharing.

[imseth85]

on 10/18/2008 An enemy of mosquitos is a friend of mine!

[BetsyG5]

on 9/7/2008 Don't forget to keep drainage trenches free-flowing beside your house. With zero-lot lines, if a neighbor re-sods his or her yard, that may inadvertently plug the small "dent" running between your houses t. That dent (at least in our Florida neighborhood) is a water runoff trench - very shallow. But if it doesn't flow, a heavy rainfall can cover your back patio quickly!