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Posted: July 20, 2006
While the human population might look to a cruise or a visit to a posh resort for a vacation, for the mosquito population any pool of standing water flashes a neon “WELCOME” sign for the ultimate in a mosquito holiday.
From pools to puddles, stagnant standing water is a prime catalyst in the mosquito reproductive cycle. Eggs are laid in miniature connected“rafts” which float on the surface of the water. Oxygen provided through a small tube promotes larval growth. In standing water the tube remains connected, whereas moving water can dislodge the tube, killing the larvae. Hence, the need for standing water sources for successful growth.
“Mosquitoes prefer standing water sources to lay their eggs,” advised Plano’s Health Department Manager, Steve Berry. “Beneficial predators frequent ponds, lakes and streams, keeping them relatively free of mosquito larvae. But around homes and businesses, temporary pools and puddles of water, coupled with any outdoor container capable of holding water, are prime sources for mosquito larvae to develop.
Even with our current drought and outdoor watering restrictions, the availability of stagnant water remains high. As water flow recedes in creeks, more isolated pools of standing water become available. At home, hand watering of flower beds and pots, allowed under our current watering restrictions, still enables pots and planters to hold pools of water, the perfect home for mosquito larvae to mature.
“There are many simple ways persons at their home or business can partner with our City efforts to further reduce the mosquito population,” said Mr. Berry. “To help reduce mosquitoes around the home, we recommend going straight to the source and attacking the larvae. Keeping swimming pools treated and circulating and rain gutters unclogged dissuade mosquitoes. Water in bird baths, fountains, animal bowls, and wading pools should be changed at least weekly.”
Additionally, the Environmental Health Department recommends containers, such as cans, buckets, empty flower pots, plant saucers, toys or anything that can contain and hold water, be removed from outdoors, or emptied weekly.
Once the larvae grow, the use of yellow outdoor “bug” lights, proper maintenance of outdoor water faucets, window screens and proper use of mosquito repellents, carefully following directions and precautions, reduces the chances for adult mosquito bites or swarming.
“It can take as little as ten days in warm weather, for a mosquito to go from larvae to adult,” said Mr. Berry. “Just a single mosquito is capable of depositing up to 300 eggs every three days. Removal or weekly cleaning of standing water sources can go a long way in this weather to help reduce the initial number of mosquitoes we may see throughout the summer.”
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