Breeding Places Around The Home

Mosquitoes such as Culex pipiens and Aedes aegypti may breed in the immediate vicinity of the home. Annoyance by such species can be minimized by a little diligence on the part of the PCO or homeowner.

Source reduction by water management is an essential part of mosquito control. Water-containing receptacles such as barrels, tin cans, and automobile tires should be emptied and accumulations of tin cans should be removed, and if necessary buried in the ground. Leaking plumbing that results in the formation of pools on the ground or in the underareas of the home often are responsible for mosquito breeding: ice box drains are particularly important in this respect. Tunnels or underground vaults used by gas, power, light and other public utility companies will often have accumulations of water that may be responsible for local mosquito infestations. Other places that frequently harbor mosquito breeding pools are sewer inlets and catch basins, storm drains and street gutters, and clogged and defective roof gutters. In rural areas, faulty leaching cesspools may result in the breeding of large numbers of mosquitoes. In all the above situations where the condition responsible for the accumulation of water cannot be readily corrected, it is then necessary to treat these mosquito breeding places with larvicides.

Ornamental garden ponds frequently breed mosquitoes. Where these ponds are stocked with goldfish and the mosquito-eating top minnows, Gambsia, there is often no mosquito problem. If the fish are not fed to excess during the mosquito breeding season, they are more likely to feed on the larvae.

Dense shrubbery and vines around a home encourage mosquito infestations since they provide excellent resting places for a number of mosquito species. If such shrubbery and vines are removed or pruned to permit the entry of sunlight, these mosquito harborages can be eliminated or reduced to a minimum.

There are several species of mosquitoes, particularly in the genus Aedes that breed in tree holes containing water. These tree hole mosquito breeding places can be permanently eliminated by tree surgery aimed at cleaning out and filling rotten areas. In the warmer sections of the United States, Aedes aegypti may occasionally breed in the home, in flower pots and their drainage saucers. The latter should be checked and emptied.