It's Mosquito Season: Reduce Bugs By Removing Standing Water

Published on May 06, 2021

 Mosquito inspector at work

Photo: Mosquito Control inspector Walter Jones inspects standing water in Lincoln Park for mosquito larvae.

Morris County's mosquito control teams are on the job inspecting and treating 10,000 wet areas around the county to eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitos and keep tabs on mosquito numbers and disease

While those efforts can pay major dividends in minimizing infestation, individual property owners have the ability to make a major difference, too, particularly after this week's wet weather.

Number One Tool: Eliminate Standing Water from Your Property

"If everyone would take steps around their own homes to eliminate standing water, it could reduce the number of mosquitoes by many hundreds of thousands, if not millions, where you live,'' said Morris County Mosquito Division Superintendent Kristian McMorland.

Steps you can take to reduce mosquito populations include:

  • At least once a week, empty water from flowerpots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans;
  • Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out;
  • Poke holes in trash cans and recycling containers;
  • Recycle discarded tires, and remove other items that could collect water;
  • Check for containers in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home;
  • Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish like fathead minnows;
  • Do not allow water gardens to stagnate;
  • Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, including those not in use (mosquitoes may even breed in water that collects on pool covers);
  • Dispose of cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property

Ashley Kerekgyarto from Mosquito Control sets a mosquito trap that uses dry ice as bait.

 In addition to the nuisance, mosquitoes also bring the possibility of diseases such as West Nile Virus, Eastern equine and St. Louis encephalitis, which are transmitted through mosquito bites.

 For more details on mosquitoes, visit: https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Departments/Mosquito-Control/About-Mosquitoes

 Also, check out the following videos for good advice on dealing with mosquitoes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_ekfQ-F4F4 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiQXLZnU7lA

Photo: Ashley Kerekgyarto from Mosquito Control sets a mosquito trap that uses dry ice.

 

 

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