Did you know it is possible for a large number of mosquitoes to hatch from a small amount of water? Female mosquitoes lay 50-300 eggs as often as every 3 days. Some species can even have several generations in one summer. Mosquitoes only need an inch of water to hatch. Eggs can hatch in less than a week. Alarmingly, some mosquito eggs can survive without water for up to 8 months before hatching. Mosquitoes travel to your home from up to 2 miles away, but most are usually from your property or your neighbor.
Homeowners can unknowingly create mosquito breeding grounds around their home. Females lay eggs anywhere water collects. Be aware of common places of standing water on your property where mosquitoes breed. Remove problem areas once a week to help reduce your exposure to these deadly pests.
15 common problem areas for Mosquitoes
-
Gutters: clean debris from gutters regularly.
-
Tires: remove old tires from your property, and drill drainage holes in the bottom of tire swings.
-
Bird baths: empty water from birdbaths and wipe the inside weekly to remove eggs that may be attached to the sides.
-
Kiddie pools: turn kiddie pool over when not in use and empty any water accumulating around the edges each week.
-
Kids toys: check outdoor kids toys for standing water and empty them.
-
Wheelbarrows: make sure garden tools such as wheelbarrows are turned over so as not to collect water.
-
Pots, containers, buckets, watering cans, flowerpot saucers: remove or turn over unused items they can’t collect water. Or, drill holes for drainage in the bottom for items cannot be removed.
-
Trash cans or Recycling bins: cover or drill holes in the bottom of trash cans or recycling bins that are left outside.
-
Untreated pools or ponds: use proper chlorine levels in swimming pools, and don’t allow ornamental ponds to stagnate.
-
Standing or slow draining water: use landscaping or drainage techniques to reduce the amount of standing water on your property after heavy rains.
-
Tarps or pool covers: water can collect in the folds of loose tarps or pool covers, so make sure they are taut or emptied frequently.
-
Boats: small boats, such as canoes or kayaks, should be stored upside down. Drain plugs should be removed from any watercraft that is stored upright.
-
Pet dishes: empty standing water in pet dishes and store them inside if possible.
-
Rain collectors: put a lid on rain collectors.
-
Anything that can hold an inch of water or more. Look closely at your property for anything that can hold or retain water no matter how small the amount; your dog’s Frisbee, the lid from a container, or even a bottle cap. Sometimes something as harmless as a citronella candle with the cover left off can create the perfect breeding ground for these nasty pests.