Mosquito Control Begins at Home
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Reduce mosquito annoyance in your backyard and in your neighborhood and the risk of mosquito-borne disease by eliminating sites around the outside of the house that serve as habitat for mosquito larvae. All mosquito larvae need standing water to develop. As little as one-half inch of water in a discarded can or container will support dozens of mosquitoes.
Tips to rid your neighborhood of mosquito breeding sites:
- Clean rain gutters to allow water to flow freely.
- Remove old tires or drill drainage holes in tires used on playgrounds.
- Store plastic wading pools inside or turn them upside down when not in use.
- Turn over or remove clay pots and plastic containers.
- Remove empty beverage containers, discarded toys, even plastic wrappers, which can retain small amounts of water.
- Check for trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps used to cover boats, pools, etc. Arrange the tarp to drain the water.
- Pump out bilges in boats. Store canoes and small boats upside down.
- Replace water in bird baths at least twice a week.
- Remove pet food and water dishes that are not being used.
- Flush livestock water troughs twice a week.
- Don't leave garbage can lids upside down. Be sure water does not collect in the bottom of garbage cans.
- Flush water in the bottom of plant holders twice a week.
- Fix dripping outside water faucets.
- Check around construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to ensure that proper backfilling and grading prevent drainage problems.
Tips to avoid mosquito bites and minimize the risk of disease:
- Avoid areas of high mosquito infestation.
- Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and a hat when outdoors.
- Use mosquito repellents according to product label directions.
- Restrict the outdoor play of your children if mosquitoes are present.
- Drain all water-holding outdoor containers around the home.
- Inspect basements and crawl spaces for flooding; if necessary, drain immediately.
- The very young, the elderly and persons with depressed immune systems are at most risk for acquiring disease from mosquito bites.
For further information or assistance, contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture Mosquito Control at 301-927-8357. The Maryland Department of Agriculture cooperates with local governments to conduct mosquito control activities. Control programs are county/ community-oriented and are conducted on a cost-sharing basis.
This page was last changed on Monday, June 25, 2001. Questions, comments, or submissions? See the Website Committee web page. This page has been accessed 4282 times.