MOSQUITOES
Avoiding Mosquito Bites
Consider these suggestions for surviving the warm months of this year with as little contact with mosquitoes as possible:
First, make sure all
windows and doors are properly screened and in good repair.
Next, when entering
into the great outdoors, consider wearing protection. There are
number of repellents that can be sprayed or rubbed on the skin.
These "drugstore" repellents are nearly always more effective
than other widely used methods. Citronella, for example, is
often used as a repellent. While this oil from a type of grass
does have some repellent quality, the entomologist at NCSU says
it does not do as good a job of keeping mosquitoes away as
drugstore repellents. back to the list
Mosquito Elimination
Bug zappers (electric devices that supposedly electrocute insects) or devices that are suppose to repel mosquitoes with sound are not effective at all in controlling this aggressive insect. While bats and purple martins are excellent insect eaters, their effect against mosquitoes is minimal. They spend a large amount of the time feeding on larger insects, like moths and beetles. Whipporwills and poor-wills are nighttime birds that do eat a tremendous number of mosquitos, eating more in one night than a purple martin does in a lifetime.
Also, the entomolgy specialist discourages the use of pesticides in and around the home. It is unlikely the pesticide will reach where the mosquitoes live. Thus, it is a waste of time and money. Mosquitoes fly anywhere from several hundered yards to several miles depending on the species. Trying to spray such a large area is not feasible.
A new mosquito-control product called Mosquito Dunks is effective, but only if used where mosquitoes are breeding. Mosquito Dunks look like small donuts. The Dunks, which float in water, contain bacteria that kill mosquito larvea and are effective in wet areas that cannot be drained. I do caution, please read all pesticide labels before using any product. back to the list
Mosquito Breeding Areas
One mistake often made is to assume an area that is wet must contain mosquitoes. This is not always true. Investigate the water source to confirm the presence of this insect. Bodies of water such as ponds usually contain predators that eat mosquitoes, and are rarely the source of mosquitoes. The places mosquitoes are commonly found are in temporary water source areas, like drainage ditches or trunks of trees that have open holes that catch rainfall. back to the list
Mosquito identification
If a homeowner knows what kind of mosquito is frequenting the area around the home, he or she can look for and destroy areas where they breed. This selective destruction of the mosquito habitat is the most effective control method.
The question is, how do you know what kind of mosquito is doing the biting? The Plant, Diseases and Insect Clinic at North Carolina State University will identify the species and make a recommendation for control. The clinic needs several caught alive and frozen in the freezer, then remove them from the freezer and place the mosquito between tissue paper and bring them to the Extension Office in Dallas. It usually takes a week to ten days to receive an identification.
Mark Blevins, Horticulture Agent
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