It’s summer. It’s mosquito season again, and zika and aedes aegypti are upon us. Aedes aegypti is the aggressive gal with the white stripes on the legs that goes after you in broad daylight. And your pets, and it can spread heart worm in addition to zika, equine encephalitis, Nile fever, and a host of other tropical wonders. Mosquito control is an important first step to prevention of these diseases.
Norfolk City Health Department stopped by to check standing water and conduct homeowner mosquito control training. Just a few days before, I had bought a new paddle pool for the greyhounds so health department’s visit was timely.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aedes_aegypti
- http://midatlanticgardening.com/did-you-know-goldfish-and-rain-barrels/
The gouge
Aedes aegypti can breed in any amount of stagnant water that sits undisturbed for more than 4 days. These beasts will breed indoors so change flower vase water, out of the way dog bools, etc. Some breeding grounds found in suburban environments include the following.
- The pet’s paddle pool
- Outdoor pet water buckets
- Flower vases
- That rain barrel you’re so proud of (fish are the answer here)
- Dog poo bin lids
- Anything concave up that can hold water, pie tins, flower pot saucers, left out dishes, bin lids lying on the ground.
- Upside down stuff that has troughs that can hold water, for example, a flower pot in storage.
- Livestock troughs for horses, chickens etc. Even if filled by a float valve. Drain ’em and refill. Rain barrel fish may work here also. Just as long as Dobbin is not carnivorous. Will chooks go after mosquito larvae, Cousin Sandy?
To break the breeding cycle, empty each vessel every 4 days, say Sunday after church and Wednesday after work. Just dump and refill if needed. Dump any container seen with standing water in it..
Dismal Manor Dispatches 