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| Photo Credit: ©2007 Buglady Consulting |
| This mosquito pupa will soon be out for blood. |
For many outdoor enthusiasts, including gardeners, the thirsty mosquito is public enemy No. 1. Sure, the pests have their place in the food chain, but that’s not gonna keep you from swatting the one that’s looking to make you its next meal. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce the mosquito population in your yard. Let’s take a quick look at how the masses grow – then figure out how to stop it.
There are 176 species of mosquitoes in the US (a small number compared with the more than 2,500 species in the world). Mosquitoes typically lay their eggs on the surface of stagnant water, and the eggs hatch when the water level rises (like after a rainstorm). It only takes a week for the mosquitoes to develop from eggs to adults. During drought periods, you won’t notice as many mosquitoes…until it rains again and all the dormant eggs are given a new lease on life. The mosquitoes who visit your yard likely have their choice of suitable breeding sites. Almost anything that’ll hold water (even a small amount of it) for one week or more can become a great mosquito nursery. Are you breeding mosquitoes? Here are some common backyard hostels: - Children’s toys
- Leaf-clogged gutters
- Leaky spigots or hoses
- Wheelbarrows
- Buckets and watering cans
- Uncovered rain barrels
- Plant saucers
- Birdbaths
- Tree holes and stumps
- Ponds with no aeration
- A neglected pool or hot tub
- Tarps
- Recycling bins
- Wading pools
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