Reducing Populations of Mosquitoes
Every summer hordes of mosquitoes descend upon our backyards, patios, parks and campgrounds. There are many ways to avoid being bitten and we at MOM’s feel that the best defense is to eliminate places where mosquitoes breed and to use safe natural repellents.
The best way to reduce populations of mosquitoes:
- Remove or empty water in old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles, even children’s toys left out in the yard, or other places where mosquitoes might breed. Be sure to check clogged gutters and flat roofs that may have poor drainage. Make sure rain barrels and trash containers are covered tightly with a lid or with 16-mesh screen.
- Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use.
- Change the water in birdbaths and plant pots or drip trays at least once each week.
- Store boats covered or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly.
- Empty your pet’s water bowl daily.
- Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water.
- If you have an ornamental water garden, stock it with mosquito-eating fish (e.g., minnows, “mosquito fish,” or goldfish). They eat mosquito larvae.
- Keep weeds and tall grass cut short; adult mosquitoes look for these shady places to rest during the hot daylight hours.
- Avoid places and times when mosquitoes bite. Generally, the peak biting periods occur just before and after sunset and again just before dawn.
- Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
- When it is necessary to be outdoors, apply insect repellent as indicated on the repellent label
MOM’s carries several safe and natural repellents for our customers to choose from. You could use BUZZ AWAY, which has citronella oil as the active ingredient, or BURT’S BEES Herbal Insect Repellent with lemongrass, citronella and rosemary oils. BITE BLOCKER contains a variety of plant oils; plant extracts and even includes a skin moisturizer. GONE is a repellent that also boasts of an SPF 10 to help guard against sunburn. These products are packaged ready to use as sprays, lotions and even roll-on applications. Oh yes, and they really do work!