Nothing spoils a lovely summer day more than the painful sting of mosquitoes. Using insect repellents and commercially available sprays can help keep these nasty critters away from succulent bodies during that Fourth of July picnic or barbecue, but these products contain toxins that might not be healthy for babies, the elderly and just about everyone else. The trick in mosquito control is to eliminate them at their source and "nip the problem in the bud" before it becomes overwhelming. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Make a thorough survey of your property and empty any standing water from such items as old tires, potted plant saucers, even pet food dishes. Be sure to repeat this process after each time it rains or you run your sprinklers. It only takes mosquitoes a couple of days to begin laying their eggs in standing water.
2. If you have a pond or other large source of water that has no mosquito-eating fish, and if it's non-chlorinated and uncirculating, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) tablets, available at garden stores and nurseries. Follow label instructions and replace them with fresh tablets (sometimes called "dunks") once a month during the summer months. Bt is a natural soil bacteria that kills mosquito and other larvae.
3. Consider purchasing an insect trap or two and place them in strategic areas, such as where you enjoy outdoor dining.
4. Replace or repair any window or door screens that might have holes so these insects cannot enter your house.
5. If you have a problem area of standing water, such as an uncovered water tank, you can add one-third cup of bleach for approximately every 1000 gallons of water. Commercially available swimming pool chlorinating tablets or granules can also be helpful: follow label instructions to determine how much of this product to use, based on the number of gallons your tank holds. Do not use this water for drinking.
Tags: standing water, label instructions, that might