Want to fight back against mosquitoes?
Here are a few tips to help in the battle.
- Install a water garden. Yes, that’s right, I said “install a water garden.” It is a common misconception of non-pond owners that water gardens breed mosquitoes. But, water gardens are not an additional concern for the increase of a mosquito population. In fact, a water garden helps fight against mosquitoes. Bodies of water are a natural attractant of dragonflies and damselflies. These creatures are often called Mosquito Hawks. The average dragonfly consumes hundreds of mosquitoes per day. Dragonfly larva also eat mosquito larva. Also, most water gardens contain fish. The fish eat the mosquito larva that may still end up in the pond.
- Empty anything in your yard that is holding water unnecessarily. This is where most residential mosquito problems originate. Downspouts, pots, toys, tarps, etc collect water and provide the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Treat other areas with biological mosquito control. These are all natural biological treatments that you can add to any water that needs it. These areas include fountains without fish, birdbaths, low areas of the yard that puddle, etc.
Mosquitoes have always been annoying and in recent years the concern of disease such as West Nile have brought a new level of concern to mosquito control. Fortunately, there are simple ways to help reduce the mosquito population in your yard.