Mosquito Management
Take The Bite Out Of Mosquitoes
As the weather warms ups, mosquitoes start to come out in full force. Typically, we see an increase in mosquitoes from June to November, but they can arrive earlier or stay longer with mild weather conditions. Mosquitoes are airborne nuisances for sure, but they bring with them the threat of diseases like West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Canine Heartworm, and many more—so it is essential that everyone takes the needed steps to protect family, pets, and livestock against mosquitoes.
Prevention
Removing standing water is the key to prevention. If you have water for pets and wildlife, keep it clean so it does not become a shelter and breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Around the house and yard:
- Replenish daily: birdbaths, your pet’s water bowl, etc.
- Empty and clean at least weekly: wading pools, fountains, buckets, fire pits, water troughs, etc.
- Swimming pools and plastic pools can be drained and/or covered when not in use.
- Containers: Drain standing water and turn over so they do not collect water.
- Ponds can be stocked with fish to help with the mosquito population.
- Street or roof gutters should be kept clean of any debris.
- Irrigated lawns, low lying areas that can collect water, tree holes and plant foliage should be drained so there is no standing water.
Application
- Kill larvae with Mosquito Bits® (Corn cob granules coated in Bti which is a bacteria toxic only to mosquito larvae. As with any product, follow directions on the label for best results). The shock treatment will kill larvae. Sprinkle in, or on top of, the soil of houseplants and container plants to kill fungal gnat and mosquito larvae.
- Use Mosquito Dunks® which last 30 days and one dunk covers 100 sq. ft. of surface water. Ideal for fountains, irrigation drainage settling points, and anywhere standing water persists. Deemed safe for watering troughs for animals, fish ponds, and other wildlife.
- Summit® Mosquito & Gnat Barrier has a hose-end sprayer that allows for easy application. Formula contains permethrin, an insecticide that repels a wide variety of insect pests including mosquitoes, ants, fleas, ticks, and more for up to four weeks.
- Bonide® Mosquito Beater® Natural effectively repels mosquitoes for up to four weeks with a natural, non-toxic, biodegradable, pleasantly-scented formula.
Protection
For most of us, mosquitoes are simply an annoyance to deal with. They can disrupt outdoor work and outdoor fun. The bites can cause mild allergic reactions such as swelling and itching, but severe reactions are not that common. For some people, however, mosquitoes can transmit pathogens that result in serious diseases.
For most of us, mosquitoes are simply an annoyance to deal with. They can disrupt outdoor work and outdoor fun. The bites can cause mild allergic reactions such as swelling and itching, but severe reactions are not that common. For some people, however, mosquitoes can transmit pathogens that result in serious diseases.
West Nile Virus: Two forms of the virus can affect humans: West Nile fever can cause a fever, and some people develop a rash on arms, chest, and back. Other symptoms can include diarrhea, fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, back pain, depressed appetite, and muscle aches. West Nile neuroinvasive disease is much more severe, affecting the nervous system—and requires medical intervention because it can be fatal. Within just a few days of being infected with this disease, symptoms can progress to develop encephalitis, meningitis, weakness or paralysis of muscles (generally on one side of the body), and/or inflammation of the lining of the retina.
Zika Virus: Most infections occur as the result of the bite of an infected mosquito, with about 25% of infected people developing symptoms which last two to seven days. Symptoms are typically mild and include fever, skin rash, red eyes, and joint pain. Other symptoms could extend to include muscle pain, a general feeling of unwellness, headache, and vomiting.
Canine Heartworm: The adult stages of heartworm disease can cause heart damage, blockages, and death if the disease is not treated. Symptoms include severe circulatory problems in dogs, along with coughing, labored breathing, loss of vitality.
To help protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease, be sure to:
- Apply insect repellent to help provide protection from bites.
- Wear protective clothing (light-colored, loose-fitting is recommended).
- Mosquito-proof your home by installing and/or repairing screens on windows and doors.
- Eliminate mosquito breeding areas, along with other necessities such as food, water, and shelter.
- Limit your time outside during the peak hours of dawn and dusk.
- Help control areas of mosquito populations with mosquito fish, nematodes, and bacterium toxins.
Sources: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and our own garden gurus.
