Don't Take This Lightly!
September
PEST OF THE MONTH
Mosquitoes
By Molly Keck
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September PEST OF THE MONTH Mosquitoes |
Although we haven't had the rain that most people associate
with mosquitoes, they are still very active. The cardinal rule in controlling
mosquitoes is to reduce all standing water. Even an over-turned bottle cap can
breed hundreds of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes need water to complete their lifecycle.
Females lay their eggs in water; and the larvae and pupae develop in the water.
If you cannot eliminate all water sources, apply cooking or baby oil, or soap to the watersource.This will form a surface tension that the larvae and pupae can not break, causing them to suffocate. If you have a bird bath, water tank, pond, etc., use Bacillius thuringiensis (Bt) dunks or granules. These are safe to use around birds, humans, pets, and wildlife.
Female adults are the only types of mosquitoes that feed on blood. They require a blood meal to produce eggs.Both male and female mosquitoes prefer to spend their time around dense foliage that is at either eye level or lower. You will seldom find them high in trees. This makes control less tricky. If you have eliminated water and still have a mosquito problem, there are options to control adults.
Focus on foliage--bushes, shrubs, gardens, etc. Look for products that contain malathion, pyrethrin, or resmethrin. Individuals have also had very good luck with citronella for repellance.
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Mosquito Life Cycle
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Adult Lays the Eggs |
Eggs Hatch into Larvae |
Pupae Develop into Adults |
As always, protect yourself from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animals in the world. They transmit diseases such as West Nile Virus which is abundant and has caused several deaths this year.
Wear a mosquito repellent of your choice. The best options contain DEET or Picariden. Stay indoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. And finally, wear loose, light colored clothing. Mosquitoes see dark objects much easier than light objects.
For more information contact IPM Program Specialist and Entomologist, Molly Keck at 210-467-6575 or email at mekeck@ag.tamu.edu