Got Mosquitoes?

Get Rid of Standing Water!

Does your yard seem to have a lot of mosquitoes? Are you getting bit? If so, you probably have some stagnant or standing water sources nearby that is attracting mosquitoes to your yard.

Now it is even more important to take a close look around your yard and eliminate these areas. As you may have heard on the news, Pennsylvania just announced its first two human cases of West Nile Virus in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

West Nile Virus in Scranton PA

According to the Department of Health due to an unprecedented level of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus, they are strongly urging residents to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes.

“Pennsylvanians should take steps to eliminate mosquito breeding sites around their homes and prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellents,” advised Secretary of Health Dr. Eli N. Avila. “This is even more important for older Pennsylvanians and people with weakened immune systems, since they are at the greatest risk of severe illness — including encephalitis — if they develop West Nile virus infection.”

Statewide sampling shows higher numbers of WNV-infected mosquitoes than any other summer since monitoring began 10 years ago. This is likely due to last year’s mild winter.

As a result, Scranton and Wilkes Barre could see a greater number of human illnesses in 2012 than in recent years. The risk for WNV infection is highest during August and September and will not end until the first hard frost.

How to Eliminate Mosquitoes – Wilkes Barre PA

• Empty or change the water in bird baths, pet water dishes, etc. at least once a week. Water that does not move can become prime spots for mosquitoes.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and remove standing water from pool covers.
• Artificial containers, such as buckets, wheel barrels, watering cans, recycling containers, plastic wading pools, or other items that can hold water should be kept indoors or turned upside down when left outside. In some instances, you can drill holes in the container bottom to allow drainage or just remember to empty these containers after it rains.
• Seal, repair, or replace leaking faucets.
• Clean roof gutters every year and check window wells and storm drains for accumulated water.
• Check the downspout drainage to make sure the water completely drains into the ground. Again, holes may be drilled into the bottom to allow drainage.
• Wet, soggy areas of your yard that does not drain well, may be filled with soil or other landscaping material.
• Clean debris from drainage ditches and culverts if water is not flowing freely.
• Stock ornamental ponds with fish that eat mosquito larvae or use a filter or aerator with a recirculation pump.
• Tarps over woodpiles or garden equipment should not have folds or sagging areas that can collect water.
• Dispose of old tires properly or drill holes in them so that water can drain. Abandoned car tires are great breeding sites for mosquitoes.
• Replace any torn door and window screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Some areas such as ponds, wet and soggy areas, and drainage ditches and culverts can be treated with a larvicide if needed. For example, Bti products are a natural product that kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.