Always read and follow directions on the container. Mosquito repellent should not be applied to the hands of young children, and treated skin should be washed with soap and water after returning indoors.
Many consumer products claim to attract, repel or kill mosquitoes. Most of these devices do not appreciably reduce mosquito abundance or incidence of bites, or else are unproven. Electrocuting devices or "Bug zappers", using ultraviolet light as an attractant, are generally ineffective in reducing outdoor populations of mosquitoes or their biting activity.
Studies indicate that mosquitoes make up only a tiny percentage of the insects captures in such traps. The majority are moths, beetles, and other harmless night flying insects. Other types of mosquito traps use carbon dioxide, warmth, light, and various chemicals e.
Performance claims to the contrary, such devices seldom have been shown to actually reduce populations of biting mosquitoes on a property, or the incidence of bites. In some situations they could even attract more mosquitoes into the area one is hoping to protect. Advertisements for portable electronic devices that use high-frequency ultrasonic sound routinely appear in magazines and claim to keep mosquitoes and other pests at bay.
Some supposedly repel mosquitoes by mimicking the wing beat frequency of a hungry dragonfly. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown these devices to be of negligible benefit in deterring mosquitoes and reducing bites. Companies that market such devices with unsubstantiated claims have been told to cease and desist by consumer protection agencies but others continue to appear hoping that consumers will buy them.
Save your money, these devices seldom, if ever, provide any measure of relief. Citronella oil does have mosquito repelling properties and the scented candles can provide a degree of protection. For maximum effect, use multiple candles placed close within a few feet of where people are sitting. A single candle at the center or edge of a picnic blanket probably won't provide much benefit other than atmosphere.
Mosquito repellent plants like garlic and other oft-advertized botanicals generally are ineffective. Bats and certain types of birds purple martins often are cited as effective natural agents for managing mosquitoes. Conservation groups and articles in nature magazines often suggest building bat and bird houses to promote nesting and to protect against mosquitoes. However, mosquitoes make up only a small portion of their natural diet.
Much like "bug zappers", they capture all kinds of flying insects. Efforts to colonize and conserve these animals should not be done solely with the intent of significantly diminishing biting mosquitoes. When it comes to managing mosquitoes, a good rule of thumb is "if the device or method sounds too good to be true, then probably it is. Apart from the annoyance, the blood-feeding habits of adult mosquitoes also can occasionally result in life-threatening diseases.
Malaria and yellow fever used to be common diseases in Kentucky but they have been successfully eliminated through widespread public health efforts. Currently, viral encephalitides are the most common mosquito-borne illnesses transmitted to people. Birds and small mammals are important natural hosts for these viruses which are transmitted to humans and horses through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms of viral encephalitis in humans can include fever, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, and convulsions. West Nile virus has been found virtually throughout Kentucky in recent years.
The chances of being severely ill from any one mosquito bite are extremely small. Dogs are quite susceptible to canine heartworm, a nematode that can be transmitted by certain mosquitoes. Infected animals may develop severe circulatory problems and display symptoms such as coughing, labored breathing, and loss of vitality.
Preventive drug treatment is available through your veterinarian. This site provides the most up to date status of West Nile Virus in the Commonwealth. The use of some products may not be legal in your state or country.
Please check with your local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned in this publication. Mosquitoes: Practical Advice for Homeowners. Potter, Lee Townsend, and F. Breeding Site Reduction The most effective way to reduce the number of mosquitoes around homes and neighborhoods is to find and eliminate their breeding sites - standing water. However, there are effective steps that individuals can take to minimize mosquito breeding on their property: Dispose of old tires, buckets, aluminum cans, plastic sheeting or other refuse that can hold water.
Empty accumulated water from trash cans, boats, wheel barrows, pet dishes, and flower pot bottoms. If possible, turn these items over when they are not in use. Clean debris from rain gutters and unclog obstructed downspouts.
Clogged rain gutters are one of the most overlooked breeding sites for mosquitoes around homes. Remove any standing water on flat roofs or around structures. We have the tools to keep your yard and family safe from mosquitoes this summer. Call us today at for a free quote. Offer Expires November 15, See Offer Details. Free Estimate. Last Name. Thank you very much. We have had a problem with stagnant water up and down the street where I live for about 9 weeks now. There are thousands of mosquitos all over and the street and the state refuses to do anything, we keep getting excuses.
I live at W. Coolidge ST. Please help us get this problem resolved before people start getting sick from being bit by the mosquitos. Thank you. I know summer is the primary season but what can we do early in the year to prevent the spread of mosquitoes other than removing standing water. Get mosquito nets for sleeping. Try a few different repellents. Additionally you may like to try tea tree oil shampoo, available on Amazon, which is insect repellent, neem soap, which stops nearly all insects from biting, and is larvicidal in grey water at 18 ppm.
It is the main soap used for washing clothes and people across India, Pakistan, and planted as street trees across Africa. Washing your hands washes off repellent, so its useful to have soap that reapplies a deterrent to mosquitoes.
Bonus, fresh fruit in spring. Waterlillies are larvicidal in ponds, add local breeds of small fish that eat mosquito larvae to every pond around town.
In many places in India you are not allowed to kill any living thing, including mosquitoes, therefore it is necessary to use the traditional natural prevention strategies like neem soap, which is cheap and ubiquitous. Try everything and see what works for you. Or have it?
We have rented a duplex for almost 4 years. It has algae in it and mosquito larvae galore. Every spring and summer we have a severe mosquito problem. When going outside were eaten alive. They even get in our house. What suggestions would you give us? Very concerned about this on going problem and health and safety of my kids,grandson, and other children that play in my yard.
I garden and I need my three rain barrels to water my summer crops and flowers. Can I add soap or something else to the barrels to deter mosquitoes without damaging my plants? I want to use water responsibly, grow my plants and discourage biting insects; I want it all. You can use larvicides to treat large containers of standing water, like rain barrels, that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
Always follow the instructions on the package. I am originally from Nigeria where mosquitoes tend to be a constant threat to everyone. Mosquitoes repellent is a big business since no one like those bugs. My grand created her own by drying the skin of oranges and using them as a repellent. This is an informative post regarding Zika virus.
I though they are all just called mosquitoes, had never heard of it till i read this post. I thought i knew a lot about mosquitoes but never knew that mosquito can survive while dry for up to 8 month and once wet will hatch and become adults in 2 weeks.
You suggested simple but easy ways of preventing mosquitoes such as removing standing water to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs, closing storage water containers tightly if storage is necessary, and i also like your advise on sanitation.
We tend to forget that good sanitary environment also prevent mosquitoes. One 1 because I am not a pregnant woman and because I am not in an area where the Zika virus is currently prominent, how ever with the increased talk about the virus I am curious if affects a persons future pregnancy as well.
Especially if she is infected and currently not pregnant. This blog does provide some informative information regarding the eggs of the aedes aegypti mosquito. Knowing that there eggs can survive for 8 months without water and being dry and then hatch within two weeks once it is exposed to water.
This may create a huge risk for area that may have the virus but currently experiencing a drought, who can potentially encounter a rain storm. It sounds as thought it will be very difficult to control them if the virus ever affects the United States. Are we waiting for an epidemic of Zika before we actually tell people about these simple preventive steps?
Is the Zika virus transmitted down through generations of mosquitoes? In other words, if an infected mosquito lays eggs, and these eventually hatch into larvae and then adult mosquitoes, will those adults themselves be virus carriers capable of infecting humans? CDC has guidelines to prevent Zika that include removing standing water. Montgomery County,MD has done nothing to provide covers for the plastic recycling bins. When it rains, there is standing water and water in all of the recycling items.
Pick-up can be longer than one week giving enough time to breed! The County and the State have by useless in this case. Where is the government oversight? Spread of Zika virus from an infected female mosquito to her eggs has not been well studied, but researchers think the likelihood is generally very low. We have a small turtle pond with three live turtles. The turtles are omnivores. Should I be worried about the Zika virus?
I have never seen any larvae in the pond, because I believe the turtles must eat them. Has there been any studies to show dunks kill Zika mosquitoes larvae? This is an important thing to know here in Florida. I use Dunks in my little pond as well as remove larvae with a strainer. Is this a bad idea? Perhaps I should drown them in bleach. Can lizards spread Zika? Reading eggs can survive dry is information I never heard. Do eggs survive in sandy soil? Part of control should be funding to offer free or low cost Dunks.
Long ago Pinellas County used to help with fireant control products,but funding cut backs has reduced County Extention Services as well as qualified Specialists.
I heard on CNN Zika can stay in your body for 2 months but no mention of how Zika is detected and no info on any progress for a vaccine.
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