Mosquitos have plagued New York State and other parts of the country for the entire summer, and there are still some warm days left for 2021.
The weather this summer fostered a healthy environment for mosquitos to thrive in, especially with the hurricanes and flooding.
So what can we do about those pesky mosquitos?
Joe Malinowski, director of pest management for Mosquito Authority and Pest Authority, offers some advice on how to keep your yard save from mosquitos before and after heavy rainfall.
These are his “Five Ts” checklist:
- Turn. Turn over items in your yard to reduce standing water. The elimination of standing water decreases mosquitoes’ breeding ground. “Monitor bird baths, downspouts near gutters, drainage catch basins, and tire swings,” Malinowski says. “Other popular places for mosquitoes are dog water bowls, plant saucers, and recycling and garbage bins.”
- Toss. Get rid of yard trash such as grass clippings, dead leaves, excess mulch and fallen branches. “By keeping a yard clean, you further reduce major breeding areas for mosquitoes and ticks,” Malinowski says.
- Tarps. Make sure tarps are pulled tautly, Malinowski says. Tarps that are loosely stretched over firewood piles, grills, boats or sports equipment will hold enough water to attract mosquitoes.
- Take care. Stay on top of home maintenance needs that can contribute to standing water. “Assess areas where water pools, such as near faucets, air conditioning units, French drains or uneven sod,” Malinowski says. “Check irrigation systems to ensure they aren’t leaking and causing a breeding haven. Clean out gutters and make sure the downspout is attached properly. Keep your lawn height low and pull weeds. Make sure hollow logs are removed from the property. Re-grade areas where water stands for a few hours.”
- Team up. Along with taking precautions with your own property, Malinowski says talking with neighbors is a key component to mosquito and tick control. “Townhomes and homes with little space between lots mean that mosquitoes can breed at a neighbor’s home and affect your property,” he says.
“Mosquitoes can be a significant nuisance, especially after a storm,” Malinowski says. “They have the potential to spread diseases, and the chances increase substantially with elevations in their population. So, while cleanup efforts are ongoing, every attempt should be made to remove mosquito breeding sites around the home.”
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].