If you’ve spent any time in North Carolina during the spring and summer months, especially if your home and property have or are nearby standing water, you’re already aware of the nuisance mosquitoes can be. If you find yourself applying bug repellent so you can safely check the mail or spend a few minutes in the back yard, it might be time to be proactive about mosquitoes and protect yourself and your family from itchy ankles and potentially dangerous diseases.

Keep It Dry

Mosquitoes need water in order to complete their life cycle, and these resourceful little monsters can be so overwhelming in numbers because it seems like they can breed anywhere. Some mosquitoes lay their eggs in sources of standing water as small as indentations in trees or ridges in discarded containers, whereas some will lay large “rafts” of 40 or so eggs on the surface of larger bodies of water. Here are a few tips and reminders to help you from unintentionally supporting mosquito breeding:

•      Drain and discard any containers or tires that can collect water.
•      Treat decorative fountains and pools in your yard with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis.
•      Make sure excess water isn’t pooling in saucers beneath outdoor potted plants.
•      Flush and replace water from birdbaths at least twice weekly.
•      If you have a large pond on or near your property, be sure boats and equipment are covered or stored upside down so water cannot collect in them.
•      Attend to drainage issues in your yard that allow water to pool and stand in low lying areas.
•      Remove debris (or call someone who can) from roadside ditches or culverts that block water and don’t allow proper drainage.

Fortunately, in regards to mosquitoes, being proactive is the best way to stop the problem. Most homeowners will notice a decrease in mosquito population and activity in the area soon after removing and preventing standing water.

Dangers of Mosquitoes

As if itchy bites and the irritation of swatting away swarming, buzzing bloodsuckers isn’t enough to deal with, mosquitoes can carry dangerous diseases. Bites from disease carrying mosquitoes are the main cause for at least three serious illnesses common to North Carolina – Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEEV), La Crosse Encephalitis (LACV) and West Nile Virus (WNV).

This does not even take into account the Zika virus, a disease known to cause birth defects and brain damage in babies, which is migrating from Brazil into the United States via mosquito carriers. As of now, there are no known cases of Zika in North Carolina, but according to Megan Davies, epidemiology section chief in the North Carolina Division of Public Health, there is potential to see mosquitoes infected with Zika this summer.

What Else Can Be Done

The good news is that if you’ve taken steps to eliminate standing water in your yard and property, you’ve already done the most important work in regards to controlling the mosquito population and protecting yourself and your family from bites. If, however, you find yourself overwhelmed with a mosquito infestation, or you just want to be as thorough as possible, you can hire pest control companies, such as Critter Control, and allow them to utilize their skills and services.