According to Dr. Michael Waldvogel, Department of Entomology and Extension Associate. Professor & Specialist, Structural & Industrial Pests at North Carolina State University, to control the risk of mosquitoes in the community, there actually needs to be a community-wide education program emphasizing homeowner responsibility to inspect and control the great many breeding sources that exist and are largely ignored.
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| Small round mosquito dunks protect up to 100 sq.ft. for up to 30 days and can be broken into smaller pieces for smaller areas. Not practical for very large areas. |
Residents should be encouraged to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs inside and outside of our homes. Items in and around homes can collect water:
Suggestions include: once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out containers that hold water, such as:
⨀ vases, ⨀ pet water bowls, ⨀ flowerpot saucers, ⨀ rain barrels with open unscreened tops, ⨀ buckets, tarps and outdoor furniture covers that sag and collect rainwater, ⨀ birdbaths, ⨀ trash cans, ⨀ wheelbarrows and garden carts left outside should be turned upside down, ⨀ and gutters and stormwater drains around the house should be inspected to be sure they are not holding any standing water.
Overall conclusions:
- A community’s mosquito problems are proportional to the level of residents’ understanding that the large number of breeding sources in even small pools of standing water around (especially) new homes without developed lawns are one of the largest sources of the problem and, hence, prime areas for prevention and mitigation. Neighbors need to assume some direct responsibility for monitoring and controlling such sources.
- Paying attention to several large stormwater pools, where water may sit for short periods of time, is important, but is dwarfed by the much larger number of unrecognized breeding sources.
