Fight Back Against Mosquitoes During National Mosquito Control Awareness Week - June 21-27, 2020

BALTIMORE, June 3, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has declared June 21 through June 27, 2020, as National Mosquito Control Awareness Week. The goal of Mosquito Control Awareness Week is to educate the public about the dangers of mosquitoes and the importance of mosquito control in the prevention of disease.

According to mosquito experts, wherever there is moisture there will be mosquitoes. But you can reduce your chances of getting bitten by mosquito pests by being “mosquito smart” and reducing places where mosquitoes can breed.

To reduce the chances of getting mosquito bites, keep as much of your skin covered as possible by wearing long sleeves and long pants. Wear light-colored clothing because mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors. Using mosquito repellent is another good way to keep mosquitoes—and mosquito bites—at bay. Apply EPA-recommended repellent directly to skin or clothing, following the instructions on the product label.

Reduce Mosquito Breeding Sites

It doesn’t take much standing water to become a mosquito breeding site. “Some species of mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little as a bottlecap full of water,” said Jonathan Cohen, mosquito control expert and President of Summit Responsible Solutions. “That’s why homeowners need to be vigilant in eliminating places where water can collect and stand in their yards and gardens.”

To reduce mosquito breeding grounds, dispose of cans, plastic containers, old tires and other items that can collect water. Turn over wheelbarrows and children’s wading pools. Clean clogged roof gutters, which can become prime mosquito-breeding spots. Periodically empty the saucers under ceramic pots to make sure they are not harboring mosquito larvae.

Use BTI to Kill Mosquito Larvae

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in places where water collects—including ponds, bird baths, animal watering troughs, gutters, ditches, drainage pipes and rain barrels—use a mosquito control product such as Mosquito Dunks that contains BTI to kill mosquito larvae. BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) is a bacterium that naturally kills mosquito larvae before they can grow up to become disease-spreading adults.

Even though BTI is deadly to mosquito larvae, it is harmless to people, pets, fish, wildlife and beneficial insects. When a donut-shaped Mosquito Dunk is placed in standing water, the BTI will kill mosquito larvae for up to 30 days.

In places where small amounts of water collect—such as tree holes, potted plant saucers, water reservoirs in self-watering planters, tires, and even in water-collecting plants like bromeliads, a BTI product called Mosquito Bits can kill mosquito larvae.

Mosquito Bits can also be used to kill mosquito larvae in swampy areas where water cannot be drained. In addition, Mosquito Bits can kill extremely dense populations of mosquito larvae because the Bits release the active ingredient, BTI, at once.

By reducing exposure to mosquitoes, limiting breeding sites and using the most effective types of mosquito control products, you can greatly reduce your chances of being bitten by disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Source: American Mosquito Control Association