Control Breeding Sites
The best option for mosquito control around your home is to stop the larvae from developing into full-grown mosquitoes. Effective and lasting mosquito control is complex, often requiring municipalities or local governments to legislate control efforts. You may not have containers with standing water, but your neighbor may, or water may be collecting in a ditch somewhere in the neighborhood. There are things homeowners can do to help prevent mosquito infestations
Water Sits No More Than A Week - Any area or object on or around your yard that can hold water for a period of one week should be either refilled, drained or discarded.
Here is a list taken from a County Extension brochure giving you tips about where to look for potential mosquito breeding sites:
Clean debris from rain gutters so rain does not accumulate.
Eliminate standing water on and around structures such as flat roofs, air conditioner units, and leaky pipes and faucets.
Eliminate seepage from cisterns, cesspools, and septic tanks.
Change the water in birdbaths and wading pools weekly.
Change the water in pet bowls daily.
Water plants and lawns so that water is not left standing for several days.
Establish Barriers to Indoors
Physical control methods focus on excluding mosquitoes from the indoors and include the following:
Install screens that are 16 to 18 mesh.
Screen the chimney and other vent flues during mosquito season. (Remove screens during winter.)
Repair broken screens on windows, doors, and porches.
Keep doors closed if not screened.
Caulk cracks and crevices where insects can enter.
Use a fly swatter for the occasional mosquito that is inside.
Encourage the Predators
During both the adult and immature stages, mosquitoes serve as valuable prey to numerous forms of wildlife such as bats, birds, and aquatic animals including sport fish. Encourage other insects such as dragonfly (nymphs) and certain aquatic beetles that feed on mosquitoes.
