McNerney Offers Residents Tips to Reduce Mosquito Breeding
By Mel Fabrikant Saturday, July 19, 2008, 12:43 PM EDT
Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney would like to remind residents to take some simple precautions to reduce mosquito annoyance during the summer months. “Our Division of Mosquito Control is working throughout the county reducing mosquito populations every day in all municipalities,” said McNerney. “Residents can help reduce mosquito breeding significantly by reducing the amount of standing water found around their home or neighbor’s property.”
Residents should keep in mind the following tips:
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors. Drainage holes that are located on the sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in at any given time.
• Clean clogged roof gutters on a regular basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked, but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths. They both provide breeding habitat for domestic mosquitoes.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable, but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left unattended by a family that goes on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than four days.
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many species of mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning hours, or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
For more information about mosquito control in Bergen County call the hotline at 201-225-7000 or check the web site at http://www.bergenhealth.org/healthtopics/westniletop.html. Contact the Bergen County Division of Mosquito Control about a mosquito problem at 201-634-2880 or 201-634-2881.
Residents should keep in mind the following tips:
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property. Do not overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property. The used tire has become the most important domestic mosquito producer in this country.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors. Drainage holes that are located on the sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in at any given time.
• Clean clogged roof gutters on a regular basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked, but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. A wading pool becomes a mosquito producer if it is not used on a regular basis.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths. They both provide breeding habitat for domestic mosquitoes.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable, but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left unattended by a family that goes on vacation for a month can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than four days.
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many species of mosquitoes. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning hours, or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
For more information about mosquito control in Bergen County call the hotline at 201-225-7000 or check the web site at http://www.bergenhealth.org/healthtopics/westniletop.html. Contact the Bergen County Division of Mosquito Control about a mosquito problem at 201-634-2880 or 201-634-2881.
