West Nile | Facts | Mosquito Tips | Map | CDC Info

Most people have come to know mosquitoes as a nuisance.  More recently, mosquitoes have been found to be the main transmitter for the West Nile Virus.  The following document discusses what you, the homeowner, can do to help protect yourself from mosquitoes.

Life History of Mosquitoes 

All mosquitoes require water to develop.  The adult female lays her eggs in standing water or in areas that will flood. The eggs hatch into larvae and grow until they form a comma shaped pupa and emerge as a flying adult.  Adult mosquitoes feed on the nectar from flowers, but the female mosquito must also have a blood meal for her eggs to develop. It is during this biting stage that mosquitoes spread disease.  A mosquito can develop from an egg to a biting adult in less than ten days.

 

What can the Homeowner do to Control Mosquitoes? 

Since mosquitoes require water to become adults, the best thing a homeowner can do is eliminate standing water around the home.  The following are recommendations to homeowners for mosquito control:

 

• Properly dispose of all unused tires.  Old tires are the #1 habitat for domestic mosquitoes.
• Ensure that trash cans and recycling containers left outside have drainage holes on the bottom.
• Discard unwanted cans, containers and pots.
• Change the water in pet bowls and bird baths at least once a week.
• Eliminate standing water in potted plant containers and saucers.  Avoid using saucers under plant pots
• Turn over wheelbarrows, canoes and buckets.
• Clean leaves and debris out of roof gutters.  Clogged gutters are prime mosquito habitat. 
• Maintain landscaping: keep grass cut low, trim hedges, remove weeds.
• Properly maintain swimming pools, empty unused ones.  Remove water from pool covers.
• Empty wading pools at least once each week and turn over unused wading pools.
• Cover rain barrels with tight fitting lids or screening.
• Fill in low spots that hold water in your yard. 

Personal Protection from Mosquitos 

• Keep mosquitoes out of the house by using 16-18 mesh on windows and door.
• Wear long sleeve shirts and pants when venturing into mosquito infested areas.
• Use repellants containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-metatoluamide).  WARNING: Read and follow label instructions.  Children are more sensitive to chemicals.  Do not use repellants on children younger than two years of age.  Use only products approved for children.
• Limit outdoor activity primarily between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Citronella plants and electric repellants have not been proven to be effective under normal use conditions.  Even “bug zappers” are of questionable value due to the fact that they may attract mosquitoes from other areas and many of the insects killed by zappers are actually beneficial. 

Although some mosquitoes can fly miles searching for breeding sites, most mosquito problems are “home grown”.  With a little persistence and effort, the homeowner can minimize the nuisance and reduce the health threat posed by mosquitoes.