Know your enemy. That is the best advice for dealing with mosquitoes. The last two months have been very wet in Robeson County. That probably means that mosquitoes, which need water in which to breed, will be plentiful this year.

To survive the warm months of the year with as little contact with mosquitoes as possible, use commonsense action such as making sure window screens are in good repair. That will keep mosquitoes from invading living areas.

For outdoor protection from the pesky insects, any of a number of repellents which contain deet and can be sprayed or rubbed on the skin are recommended. Such repellents, which are readily available at any drugstore, are nearly always more effective than trying to control mosquitoes.

Citronella, for example, is often used as a repellent. While this oil from a type of grass does have some repellent quality, it doesn't do as good a job of keeping mosquitoes away as those repellents that contain deet.

An entomologist at the University of Florida developed a product called Gerionol which is a combination of lemon grass and several other plants. These plants were selected after testing more than 3,900 compounds. The product effectively repels mosquitoes, ticks, fire ants, flies, and biting midges for up to four hours. It is not available yet, but will be marketed under the names MosquitoSafe, TickSafe, and FireAntSafe.

How about zappers, electronic devices that electrocute insects, or devices that supposedly repel mosquitoes with sound? Neither work.

You can also scratch what might be called biological weapons off the list of effective mosquito deterrents. Neither plants touted as repellents, purple martins, nor bats control mosquitoes effectively. While purple martins and bats do eat mosquitoes and other insects, they don't eat enough to be considered effective at controlling the pests.

Spraying pesticides around or inside a house is discouraged. It's unlikely the pesticide will reach mosquitoes where they live. In any event, mosquitoes can fly from several hundred yards to several miles depending on the species, so it's impossible to spray all the areas near a house where mosquitoes may be lurking.

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 donuts, which float in water, contain bacteria that kill mosquito larvae and are effective in wet areas that cannot be drained.

But just because an area is wet, doesn't mean it harbors mosquitoes. Bodies of water such as ponds usually contain predators that eat mosquitoes and are rarely the source of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes usually come from temporary water-filled areas, such as drainage ditches that don't drain completely after a heavy rain, or containers that hold water, such as tires or bird baths. These containers should be emptied so that mosquito populations can be reduced.

Click here for more information on mosquitoes: www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/westnile.htm

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 7/20/98.
Date Revised 11/19/03