Mosquitoes: Why Aerial Spraying Isn’t Enough

Mosquitoes: Why Aerial Spraying Isn’t Enough

No one can blame you for an increased level of concern in the danger of high populations of mosquitoes around your home and property. Many city and municipal governments are doing their own job in having regular aerial spraying of insecticides targeting mosquitoes over areas with the highest populations, which is good news, but this and “ground fogging” only reduces the overall population in the areas treated.

In order to get mosquitoes under control where you live, keep reading to find out what you need to know and what you need to do.

Know When and Where is Being Sprayed/Fogged

The first step is being aware of which city and municipal governments near you are performing aerial spraying, and what neighborhoods that they’re covering. If you don’t know where to find this information, it’s typically announced or posted in local newspapers, on social media and district websites, through public service announcements, or by phone or door-to-door campaigns.

How Does Aerial Spraying Work?

This technique to reduce mosquito populations works by stocking airplanes or helicopters with insecticides that can kill both adults and the larvae of mosquitoes. They use either larvicide or adulticide in very low volumes for areas where mosquitoes have a high population and can be done at any time, but generally is done when pollinating insects are not active.

You may be worried about it, but the CDC has assured citizens that they don’t need to leave the area during aerial spraying, as it provides a minimal risk to people and pets when done by a properly licensed professional. Because of the very low volumes of insecticide, you’re unlikely to breathe in or touch anything that has enough of it to hurt you, though some insecticides can cause eye irritation if you’re outside when spraying takes place.

While this technique is faster and more effective than truck-mounted or handheld spraying systems in treating large swaths of land, it only temporarily reduces mosquito populations; it doesn’t get rid of them permanently.

Eliminate Breeding Spots

So what can you do to protect yourself and your family from disease-bearing mosquitoes? Well, around your own home you can reduce the amount of areas that they like to breed in. They only need a half an inch of standing water in order to be able to breed, so let’s take a look at some areas around the house that can attract mosquitoes:

• Ponds – Make sure all pool and pond water is adequately treated.
• Gutters – Clean these regularly of leaves and other debris so rain can’t build up.
• Flower Pots – Stagnant water can gather in these; make sure to pour them out regularly.
• Toys – Be sure that buckets and containers are brought inside or are kept out of the rain, and drill holes in the bottoms of tire swings and wheelbarrows to prevent water from gathering in them.
• Birdbaths – Change out the water in birdbaths frequently.
• Trash Cans – Tightly seal trash cans and ensure that lids are not flipped upside-down when you leave them.
• Grill Covers – Due to the shape, they can sometimes gather water on top. Make sure that yours isn’t, and if it is, tip water off after it’s rained to prevent it from settling.
• Baby/Kiddy Pools – Don’t leave water sitting in these for long periods of time.
• Plumbing – Repair leaky pipes and fixtures to keep them from making puddles.

Or, if you’re looking for more personal, expert solutions- Look to our professionals at Total Pest Solutions.