Horticulture News

DATE: June 30, 2008

HARDIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
201 Peterson Drive
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-9370

BY: Amy Aldenderfer
County Extension Agent for Horticulture

Ways to Control Adult Mosquitoes

Eliminating breeding sites remains the best way to prevent mosquito problems. Since some mosquitoes fly long distances, you   also might need to take actions against incoming adults.

Mosquitoes can ruin summertime activities by the irritation of their bites and annoyance of their buzzing. Additionally, some mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases like malaria and encephalitis, including the form of encephalitis known as “West Nile”, to humans and horses as well as heartworm to dogs.

You can do several things to reduce adult mosquito problems around your home.

To keep mosquitoes out of your home, securely screen windows, doors and porches. Use a fly swatter or perhaps an aerosol insecticide to eliminate occasional mosquitoes found indoors. Always use an insecticide labeled for mosquitoes, gnats and other flying insects and follow the instructions for use.

Mosquito repellents will help prevent bites when you spend time outdoors. The most effective products contain DEET (active ingredient diethyl toulamide). Generally, the higher percentage of DEET, the longer duration protection.

Low-percentage formulations are available to use on younger children. Don’t apply mosquito repellent to young children’s hands. Always wash treated skin with soap and water when children return indoors.

Remember to read and follow application directions on the container.

Since adult mosquitoes like to rest in dense vegetation during the day, keep your yard free of tall weeds and grass.  If adult mosquito populations become intolerable around your home, consider applying a properly labeled insecticide to the lower limbs of shade trees, shrubs, shaded areas adjacent to the foundation and the periphery of your yard.

Lawn and garden insecticides are effective, but of limited duration and might need to be reapplied. Look for insecticides registered for adult mosquito control on lawns and vegetation containing carbaryl, malathion or synthetic pyrethroids such as permethrin, cytluthrin, bifenthrin or lambda cyhalothrin.  To thoroughly wet foliate, consider a concentrate you can dilute in water and apply with a hose-end sprayer.

Many consumer products, including bug zappers, citronella candles, ultrasonics and mosquito-repelling plants, claim to attract, repel or kill outdoor mosquito infestations. However, most don’t work or are marginally effective in reducing outdoor mosquito populations and their biting activities. Studies indicate that of the mosquitoes killed by bug zappers using ultraviolet light as an attractant less than five percent are females -- the only ones that actually bite.

To increase the effectiveness of citronella candles, place several within a few feet of where people are located.For more information on controlling home pest problems, contact your Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, gender, religion, disability, or national origin.