There has been increasing concern among health professionals about insect-borne diseases. Many of them claim that climate change will allow mosquitoes and other dangerous pests to expand into new territory, bringing tropical diseases to previously unaffected areas. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the mosquito population around your own home.
Add Movement to Your Water
Mosquitoes thrive in warm, wet areas. Since larvae hatch and develop underwater, reducing the supply of stagnant water will naturally cut down on the number of mosquitoes you see.
If you have water features around your home, installing pond aerators and fountains can help to reduce the amount of standing water, thereby reducing the mosquito population. These work by incorporating air and movement into otherwise still water. Once that happens, mosquito larvae can no longer use that area as a safe breeding ground. Adding some mosquito-eating fish to your ponds can also help reduce the insect population.
Eliminate Clutter
It doesn’t take a full-fledged water feature to encourage mosquitoes to move in. There can be hidden caches of water hidden in plain sight. Some examples of places that can quickly and easily become havens for pesky mosquitos include the following:
- a tire swing
- poorly drained planters
- shallow spaces in walkways and patios
- improperly stored garden tools
- pet toys and food bowls
- trash and recycling containers
As you can see, it is easy to unwittingly provide a cozy home for these unwanted and potentially dangerous pests. Take a day or two to carefully clean up your yard, looking for places that water naturally collects.
In the end, you want to enjoy your home and yard without worrying about the safety of your family and pets. Removing standing water and cleaning hidden areas that mosquitoes can quickly colonize are simple steps that you can take today to help make your yard a safer place to live and play.