Last year in 2014, we experienced a cooler and rainier summer, which meant that mosquitoes were more active for longer parts of the growing season. To minimize discomfort from buzzing mosquitoes, there are several preventative steps you can take.
1. Remove Mosquito Habitats
The first step is to remove suitable habitats for mosquitoes. This includes removing standing water to prevent adults from laying eggs. If you have a bird bath, change the water at least once a week and keep swimming pool water circulated and/or treated to avoid an outbreak.
2. Minimize Exposure to Mosquitoes
The next step is to minimize exposure. Wear long sleeves and pants to minimize direct skin exposure and apply a repellent being sure to follow label directions. You can also minimize time when mosquitoes are most active, which is at dawn, dusk, and early evening.
3. Control Larva with Bti
For additional control, we’re going to have to target the larva, which likes to grow in still, standing water. For many gardeners, the most likely target is the rain barrel. If it is an important part of the garden (and we highly recommend using them), one of the best ways to control mosquito larva is through a bacterial insecticide called Bti or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. This protein has been used for over 50 years in organic farming and is a natural bacteria found in the soil and is safe for animals and other mammals. It is effective at controlling insects in the larval stage and can be applied in liquid or granular forms with many commercial products available.
By taking these steps, you can be sure that your mosquito exposure will be more limited and you’ll have a more enjoyable time in the garden without having to worry about itchy mosquito bites or even worse, West Nile infection.
Cover Image by dr_relling, used under its Creative Commons license.
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