With the warmer weather comes family fun, days at the beach, all the pleasures of summer. Unfortunately one of the biggest nuisances known to humanity also surfaces at this time. MOSQUITOES. While so many folks have figured out how to make do, animals simply don't have that luxury. They often spend their warmer days tortured by flying pests like house flies and mosquitoes, enduring mosquito bites and potential injuries caused by relentless stomping and flailing. If only they could install a mosquito trap or utilize mosquito repellent whenever they wanted help.
U.S. Residents are extremely fortunate in that our government takes pest and mosquito control, very, very seriously. These "Vector" or mosquito control efforts are responsible for keeping exterminator professionals in the field, where they do an amazing job discouraging mosquito and pest outbreaks. Without their help, the diseases spread by mosquitoes could again reach epidemic proportions, much like they occur in some developing countries. Imagine having nothing more than a mosquito net or highly poisonous insecticide being the only thing standing between you and death's door? Many people have no idea that mosquito spread diseases have been responsible for offing more people than all the human related wars, combined.
While we no longer see outbreaks like the Encephalitis plague of the early 1930's, we do have to worry about the spread of diseases like West Nile Virus. Having only developed vaccines for horses, humans, dogs and cats are still vulnerable.

Even without the issue of serious disease, mosquitoes are one of the most annoying flying pests on the planet. By truly understanding the conditions that attract mosquitoes, you can do a great deal to discourage their presence and reproduction. Do it yourself pest control takes discipline, but, it's not rocket science. Mosquitoes are actually fairly fragile and if you understand their weaknesses, you can win the battle and the war. Which pest control products are effective without poisoning the environment or harming your pets? We're going to break all of that down, make it easy and help you become the Mosquitonator.
There are two basic categories of Mosquitoes within the U.S., of which there are hundreds of individual mosquito species. Semi Permanent Mosquitoes seek out long-term water bodies such as marches, ponds and stock tanks. The second group, Floodwater Mosquitoes, require nothing more than a convenient water container to reproduce. Any ditch, water bucket or puddle lasting more than three days can continue the cycle of life for a female mosquito looking for somewhere to leave her eggs. Though, 3 days at eighty to ninety degrees is necessary for the evolution from larvae to adult.

It's not tough to identify which kind of Mosquito you're being victimized by. Daytime bites usually mean Floodwater mosquitoes are breeding in nearby, unrestrained, temporary water sources. Alternately, Semi-Permanent Mosquitoes tend to be the issue when the bites occur during early morning or at sunset. These pests are usually breeding nearby, in standing waters such as ponds and lakes. Distance is not an obstacle for Floodwater Mosquitoes, renowned for riding the breeze while they wait for a CO2 trail to draw them to a blood meal. Their far less adventurous relative, the Semi Permanent Mosquito is inclined to stay within a 1/4 radius of home base. As soon as you've isolated the type of mosquito issue you've got, you're ready to start your mosquito intervention.
Successful mosquito elimination starts with the elimination of all nearby standing waters. And, you'll have to repeat the process every 3 days. If this is too much bother, consider using a larvicide such as S-Methoprene or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. Once ingested, this bacteria strain penetrates the mosquito larvae‘s gut and kills it. And, because it is harmless to vertebrates such as mammals, birds, fish & amphibians, you need never worry about safety.

Consider also using Mosquito Eating Fish and attracting Blue Birds to your property.  A Mosquito eating fish can gobble up 100-500 mosquito larvae a day and Blue Birds are renowned mosquito eater birds. Both these organic exterminators can do a great deal of the work required to suppress mosquito populations.

Given how little water Mosquitoes require to successfully reproduce, a relentless review of your surroundings can pay off in droves. Buckets, unused troughs, all these things should be properly eliminated or stored and kept clean and dry. A soda or tuna can left out in the rain can turn into a mosquito factory within a few days, so daily grooming of your grounds, barn or farm is highly suggested for controlling mosquito outbreaks. Survey your property for any much needed repairs: broken pipes, leaky hoses and anything else capable of creating unwanted "reservoirs".  Also, consider purchasing a few stealthy, high-powered fans. Mosquitoes detest winds of over 7 MPH, so, these should help discourage mosquitoes.

Keeping fields, lawns and edge-water grasses neat and prim will also aid in your mosquito fighting efforts. Taller plants give mosquitoes a shield from harsh, midday sunlight, so, the shorter the grass, the less likely they are to hang around. Also keep plants found in edge waters trimmed or eliminated. Mosquitoes favor these plants for their minimal movement.

Fields requiring flood irrigation should be tightly scrutinized to prevent unnecessary water pools that favor mosquito reproduction. Restricting saturation to 2/3's capacity should eliminate this problem while saving water. Also, don't allow water trough's used for livestock to contribute to mosquito populations. Try to drain, rather than dump dirty drinking water if possible. Don't be afraid to test S-Methoprene in your livestock's drinking water. While deadly to mosquito larvae, this bacteria strain is completely safe for livestock, birds, amphibians and fish.

Discourage mosquitoes by wearing white or light colored headgear and clothing. These act as a natural mosquito repellent, stopping mosquito bites by tricking the pests into assuming you're not a mammal. Feel free to use mosquito repellent and to contact your local "vector control," department for more advice. They're likely to offer materials and free consultations specific to the idiosyncrasies of mosquito species in your area. All in all, successful mosquito control is truly possible. Just do your due diligence, follow the rules and enjoy your summer.

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