3. What precautions should we take to prevent breeding of mosquitoes in our homes?
Answers
# Don't let water go stagnant.
Mosquitoes need stagnant, still water to lay their eggs and for the young to successfully hatch and mature. During mosquito season, it's especially important to keep gutters clear, thoroughly empty kiddie pools and water buckets after use and keep birdbaths filled with fresh water.
# Dump it out
Once the sprinklers have stopped and when the rain's moved on, go outside and take a really good look around your home. If you have tarps on cars or outdoor equipment, make sure they fit snugly and don't droop, allowing water to pool. And make it a point to regularly check outdoor pet bowls and the surface of flowerpots and pot saucers for signs of "wigglers" or mosquito larvae.
# Pick up your litter.
Schedule a weekly "litter patrol." Throw away bottles, cups, cans and other detritus. Almost anything that holds water — even a small amount — can turn into a mosquito nursery.
# Pay attention to your water features.
If you live near a small pond, a decorative pond, drainage canals or other areas likely to hold standing water, try spreading environmentally friendly botanical products around such as Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis), which can act as a larvicide, killing mosquitoes before they reach adulthood. Or stock ponds with Gambusia. They didn't get the nickname "mosquito fish" for nothing.
# Drain or throw out tires.
Remove old car tires from your property, and drill holes in the bottom of tire swings to allow for drainage. Tires are big-time mosquito havens. Rainwater, sprinklers, run-off — doesn't matter. Once water ends up in an old tire, it's hard to pour out.
# Declutter and get rid of junk.
Take this opportunity to beautify the outside of your home while evicting mosquitoes at the same time. Haul away old barbecue grills, car parts, shelves and other stuff that you've been meaning to clear out. Just about anywhere water can collect, mosquitoes can lay eggs.
# It's a Yard Thing
Mosquitoes love overgrown trees, brush, weeds and tall grass. Keeping lawns tidy helps keep mosquitoes out. If things start looking bare out there, consider putting in some mosquito-repelling herbs, flowers and plants, including peppermint, lavender, marigolds, chrysanthemums, citronella grass, lemon eucalyptus, pennyroyal and feverfew.
Answer:
1. Don’t let water stagnate: Mosquitoes breed by laying eggs in stagnant water. You can keep them off your property by covering or clearing out any stagnant water from your home.
2. Clear the litter: Do not allow any debris to collect around your house, especially in gardens, compounds, or yards. Litter is often a great hiding place for mosquitoes. Remove waste from your house regularly and make sure your neighborhood stays clean as well.
3. Use a suitable mosquito repellent
4. Use physical barriers: As evening approaches, you might see mosquitoes swarming towards your home. An effective method to keep them from entering your home is by using mosquito screens on doors and windows. This, along with a good insect repellent, will effectively mosquito-proof your home.
Explanation: