Common Sense Approach to Fighting Mosquitoes

It's that time of year and before you rush out to grab burgers and beverages for your barbeque, don't forget about the buzz that seems to accompany this seasonal tradition.  The buzz is the growing mosquito population in your and your neighbor's backyards.

Mosquito bites not only leave you scratching, but also are a telltale sign of an irritating time spent outdoors.  This year, maybe it's time to make a new tradition and take the necessary precautions to stop mosquitoes from invading your backyard.

Mosquitoes thrive in standing water.  Ponds, birdbaths, even a puddle of water inside an old tire can serve as fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes.  After mating, most males will die within a few days while females can live for several weeks and lay up to 250 eggs at a time.

The eggs of most species will hatch in roughly two to three days, which means that mosquitoes can multiply at a very fast pace.  And because mosquitoes won't stop at the property line when they get hungry, what was once your neighbor's problem can quickly become the gray cloud over your sunny day.

"Many people are growing their own mosquitoes at home and don't even know it," said Mark "Shep" Sheperdigian, vice president of Technical Services and resident bug expert of Troy-based Rose Pest Solutions.  "From rain water filled tree holes to your neighbor's unused swimming pool, it only takes a little bit of still water and it won't take long to generate a cloud of mosquitoes."

So what can the average homeowner do to keep these unwanted guests from stopping by?

Remove standing water from all areas of your property including rain gutters, buckets and flowerpots, trashcans, and other types of containers or holes.

Frequently changing water in birdbaths and other common areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs can also greatly reduce mosquito populations.  Backyard ponds can be stocked with mosquito eating fish or low-hazard, donut-sized pellets called dunks that dissolve in water and kill larvae. Barrier treatments to the vegetation surrounding a yard also can give a surprising level of relief.

Sometimes the most pervasive problems have a simple solution, and in the case of mosquito bites, this also holds true.  By wearing repellents that contain DEET or picaridin along with long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors, female mosquitoes lose access to the blood that keeps them alive.

Staying indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active is also another good strategy. If all else fails, consider hiring a professional exterminator to help you regain a foothold in your backyard.

"Unfortunately, citronella candles, ultrasonic devices and anti-mosquito plant life do not always work and can become quite costly," said Shep.  "Even the commercial bug zappers attract more mosquitoes than they kill."

By taking a common sense approach to pest control management and talking to your neighbors about how to do the same, you're summer fun outdoors won't include the swatting and biting that is common during an active mosquito season.

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Founded in 1860, Rose Pest Solutions provides comprehensive pest control services for commercial and residential clients from its 15 branch offices in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.  With three board certified entomologists and other credentialed individuals on staff, Rose is renowned for its technical expertise and use of integrated pest management practices designed to protect the homes, health and property of its clients.  Rose has received numerous honors for its commitment to excellence, including QualityPro and QualityPro Schools designations from the National Pest Management Association.  For more information about Rose Pest Solutions, contact the company at (800) 966-ROSE or on the Web at www.RosePestSolutions.com

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