Most homeowners cherish the peace and serenity of their backyards during the mild and hot weather months, but so do certain unwelcomed guests.  For most, this place is sacred ground:  a sanctuary escape for fun, solace and relaxation; a place for creating lasting memories.  At times though, the backyard can be regarded as a battleground against relentless, blood-thirsty vampires known as mosquitoes; making good times turn to misery and itchy bites.  Beyond the aggravating itch of a mosquito bite, some mosquitoes transmit diseases to humans through their bite, and some of these diseases can be quite serious such as Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile Virus.

Since mosquitoes declared an unprovoked war against us, it is only right that we fight back to regain our rightful existence in our backyards.  First, there must be an understanding that we are responsible for many of the conditions within the bounds of our property that can lead to greater populations of biting mosquitoes, and we are equally responsible to ourselves and our neighbors to rectify those conditions that may lead to mosquito development and harborage sites.  The government agencies can and only will protect you and your family from mosquitoes to the extent that their budgets and jurisdictions allow, and their involvement is typically focused on flood zones of waterways, right of ways and other federal, state and municipal lands, especially when the issue involves the entire community, or when the scenario is declared a public health concern such as the current Zika pandemic.  And even with agency mosquito control actions, they still need help from the local citizens and community involvement.

Here is what you need to know about mosquitoes and how you can help your family, neighbors and community in the battle against blood-thirsty mosquitoes that can transmit human diseases or simply make your backyard experience a miserable one.

Brief Mosquito Biology:

Water is the life-blood of mosquitoes and the key to control.  Without water, mosquito larvae and pupae (immature stages) cannot develop.  After mating, adult female mosquitoes must seek a blood meal to allow their eggs to develop fully.  The mosquito then lays her eggs in a variety of water sources depending on the species type.  For the sake of this article, we will focus on the egg and larval developmental and harborage sites for the 3 most important disease vectors that are either common or spreading throughout the United States:

1. Aedes aegypti, also known as the Yellow Fever Mosquito
2. Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian Tiger Mosquito
3. Culex pipiens, also known as the House Mosquito

All of these mosquitoes have been determined by the CDC to transmit a variety of human and pet diseases including Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, Yellow Fever, West Nile Fever and Dog Heartworm to name a few of the more readily known diseases.  Additionally, these mosquitoes all require bio-rich (stagnant or polluted) water sources to deposit their eggs and for proper development of the immature stages.  All of these species of mosquitoes can be found around the average home breeding in standing water within artificial and natural containers alike.  Homeowners should inspect and eliminate, or empty the following breeding site containers:

Artificial Sites:

1. Birdbath water older than 7 days: refresh water weekly
2. Refreshment bottles or cans: protect from collecting water if recycle period is longer than 1 week
3. Remove bottle caps discarded in lawn or garden beds: Aedes aegypti will breed in great numbers in small containers of water including bottle caps
4. Garden pots & trays: make sure they are not over-watered and drained
5. Empty children’s plastic toys that can hold water, and store properly
6. Empty deck chair cup holders
7. Discard old car, bike and wheel barrel tires
8. Make sure septic tanks are capped and maintained properly
9. Clean gutters and downspouts after each season to ensure proper drainage
10. Secure buckets, trash cans, recycle bins with tightly fitted lids and drain pooling water from lids
11. Manage retention ponds and water ditches with an EPA approved larvicide, or contact a professional mosquito management company for treatment options
12. Add Gambusia (the mosquito fish) to ornamental fish ponds: the fish will eat the mosquito larvae
13. Empty and clean pet food and water bowls routinely
14. Drain water from swimming pool covers, and empty or treat non-chlorinated pools
15. Drain and store plastic tarps
16. Unclog patio drains
17. Drain basement window wells and repair to correct pooling water conditions
18. Correct pooling irrigation water conditions

Natural Sites:

1. Certain plant species that create a natural catch basin for water such as palms, pitcher plants, lilies, etc.
2. Tree holes that retain water
3. Poor drainage swales and ground indentations that retain water after heavy rains
4. Marshes, bogs, wetlands after flooding rains or high tides

So as you can see, there are many more areas where mosquitoes can lay their eggs and provide ideal habitats for larval development around your property than exist in areas outside of your control.  Monitor your property during the warm months on a weekly basis to eliminate conditions conducive to larval mosquito development, and you will be able to take back your backyard from nuisance and biting mosquitoes.

And as a final tip, always use a skin-friendly and family insect repellent, like Moskito Care, to provide your family and guests with greater bite protection from mosquitoes invading your backyard from sources outside of your control.