Adult mosquitoes can inflict painful bites, so killing them during the pupa stage can make life outside more pleasant.
The best way to prevent mosquitoes in your yard is to kill them before they become biting adults. The pupa is the third stage in the mosquito life cycle. Mosquitoes are usually in the pupa form for about two days before they become adults. By killing mosquitoes in the pupa stage, you can prevent them from ever becoming yard pests. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites
1. Get rid of old tires, garbage can lids and other yard debris in which water can collect. Mosquito pupae continue to live in these areas until they are adults. By eliminating these sites you will not only eliminate the areas in which pupae live, but will also make it less likely that adult mosquitoes are able to breed.
2. Change water in bird baths and dog bowls frequently. Dirty, standing water provides a prime location for mosquitoes to breed and for pupae to hide.
3. Clean rain gutters and other areas that collect dirty, decaying leaves. The pupa life cycle of mosquitoes is a non-feeding life cycle. They hide in dark, moist areas, and eliminating hiding places makes it more likely that they will die.
Kill Mosquito Pupae
4. Place mosquito dunks or granules in areas where mosquito pupae live. These are solid discs that are placed directly into the water. They disperse and kill mosquito larvae as well as prevent the development of future larvae. You can find these at most pet and pond stores. Follow the directions on the package carefully.
5. Use garlic oil. If you're concerned about toxic chemicals, or the risks of inadvertently poisoning other animals in your yard, pour garlic oil in the areas in which mosquitoes live. Garlic oil is toxic to soft-bodied insects like mosquitoes and will prevent the pupae from becoming adult mosquitoes.
6. Use a mosquito larvicide. Larvicides use natural, mosquito-eating bacteria that will kill mosquitoes at all stages of development. Pond and home improvement stores sell these products and the label will give you specific instructions on how much larvicide to use.
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