Community Based Mosquito Control

Everyone can agree that mosquitoes are a nuisance and can make even a pleasant afternoon outdoors an unpleasant experience. What many people do not realize, however, is that mosquitoes are not only pesky, but they can also make you ill. Mosquitoes can be carriers of infectious diseases such as West Nile Virus. For this reason, it is crucial that neighborhood communities develop an effective mosquito control plan that will reduce risk of illness and cut down on the unwanted presence of mosquitoes.

Develop an Action Plan
In order to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes, create an action plan that aims to remove all possible breeding and living grounds for mosquitoes. Below are a few steps that can be followed in order to reduce the health risks associated with mosquitoes:

Empty and change the water in bird baths, wading pools, potted plants, fountains and so on at least once a week, if not more frequently.
Treat and circulate swimming pools regularly.
Unclog rain gutters as often as possible.
Keep windows shut tight if there are no mosquito screens.

Get Involved with Mosquito Control
Do not assume that everyone is concerned or knows about the necessity for mosquito control. A great way to get involved in establishing a mosquito control plan in your neighborhood is to educate others about the potential health dangers associated with these airborne pests. Taking on this responsibility is important for you as well as for others because despite your best efforts to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, if your neighbor does not take the same precautions, your home will be no safer than his. In addition, neighborhoods are sometimes sprayed to prevent disease and disturbance by mosquitoes. If you appear to have a large population of mosquitoes living in your neighborhood, it would be wise to contact the health department or city to inquire about mosquito control.

As a Reminder
In addition to establishing an effective mosquito control plan in your area, do not forget to protect yourself with mosquito repellant when outdoors. Moreover, you may want to replace your outdoor lights with yellow bug lights.