Baggs

Mosquitoes can ruin the best-made outdoor sum­mer plans, for man and animal.

They not only produce a painful bite during feeding, but can also transmit West Nile virus to humans and horses and heartworms to dogs. When temperatures remain above 70 degrees, combined with the recent rains, mosquito populations will soar.

The best control is eliminating breeding sites. Mosquitoes like shallow standing water, which can be found in old tires, cans, bottles, birdbaths, flower pots, poorly draining gutters and hollowed-out tree stumps. They also like standing water that contains organic matter.

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than four days. Mosquitoes rarely breed in pools or large bodies of water because they are too deep. Ponds usually contain fish and minnows, which will keep mosquitoes in check.

For larger bodies of water that cannot be drained such as shallow ponds, ditches or low areas, “doughnuts” or “mosquito dunks” can be used. These larvicides contain Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and are highly effective. Bt is an environmentally friendly, natural, non-polluting, bacterium. These products are applied to water, killing all fly larvae including mosquitoes, and are safe for use around animals.

Temporary outdoor suppression may include aerosol foggers; however this is short-lived and mosquitoes will continue to return until breeding sites are eliminated.

Candles and torches do not provide much control; bug zappers attract mosquitoes to the yard but don’t kill all of them. They usually kill more beneficial insects than problem insects.

Horses can be vaccinated for West Nile, dogs can be checked for heartworms and given a preventive treatment, and kids can be sprayed with insect repellents, but the most important step any property owner can do to control mosquito populations is to remove all manmade potential sources of stagnant water where mosquitoes might breed.