Recent rains have led to more mosquitoes. My husband joked that he lost a pint of blood just walking in our backyard! To cut down on mosquitoes, get rid of places where they breed. Dump out or empty any containers holding water. Clean out bird baths too — the birds will enjoy the fresh water. Make sure to clear debris from your gutters. Don’t forget about spots like saucers under potted plants or tarps over wood piles and boats, since these are easy to miss. Water your plants, but don’t let water sit in the saucers. Storm sewers and drainage ditches can also get clogged with silt, plants or trash. Remove any debris you find, or report bigger drainage problems to your local or state agency.
Using a backpack or hand-held fogger can kill mosquitoes in your yard and keep them away for a few hours. However, once the spray wears off, mosquitoes from nearby untreated areas can come back. Spraying shrubs, trees and thickets around your yard can help, but mosquitoes may still return from other places. Always put safety first when using pesticides. Whether you do it yourself or hire someone, remember that insecticides can drift in the wind onto someone else’s property. Even a small amount of drift is illegal. For small spots like garden pools or horse troughs, you can try a microbial insecticide, which you can find at many stores or online. Some products, called “dunks” or granules, contain the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or “Bti.” This bacteria kills mosquitoes but is safe for fish, birds and other wildlife. The dunk versions work well for small breeding sites (100 square feet or less) and control mosquito larvae for about 30 days. Before using Bti, learn about the mosquito life cycle and where they breed in your area. Treating all standing water without knowing if it’s a problem spot can waste your time and money.
Wearing long sleeves and pants outside can help prevent mosquito bites, but it’s not always comfortable in the summer heat. Insect repellents are another good way to protect yourself. Many repellents have DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide). The USEPA has more information at https://ift.tt/WDtXcS0. Choose a product with the highest percentage of active ingredient listed on the label, and apply it to exposed skin. Don’t use repellents too often in a short time, especially for kids and pregnant women.
There’s no scientific proof that putting certain plants around your porch or deck will keep mosquitoes away. Also, plants or devices that release repellent chemicals don’t work well when it’s windy.
You can buy different mosquito traps that use heat or chemicals like carbon dioxide or octenol to attract mosquitoes. Remember, these traps only work within a certain range, so one trap might attract mosquitoes but won’t control them all. Like with repellent plants, wind can blow the chemicals away and make the traps less effective. If you want more information about mosquito control and repellents, call the Rowan County Extension Center at 704-216-8970.
Amy-Lynn Albertson is director of the Rowan County Extension.
