Backyard Control

Insect repellents are available in various forms and concentrations and only those approved by the Environmental Protection Agency should be used. In general, repellents should not be used under clothing, used over cuts, wounds or irritated skin, sprayed directly onto face applied or applied to children’s hands.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of repellents containing the active ingredient DEET or PICARIDIN. The oil of lemon eucalyptus which is also recommended is a botanical. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics DEET products should not be used on infants younger than two months. All repellents should be used according to instruction.
When mosquitoes are biting the time spent outdoors should be limited and loose fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants should be worn. Window and door screens should be kept in working condition. Mosquito netting can be used to protect sleeping adults and infants when outdoors.

Since the immature stages of mosquitoes breed in standing water, all such sources should be eliminated around residential and commercial properties. Any container that will hold water should be covered, removed, emptied or stored upside down. Rain barrels, unused swimming pools, animal watering troughs, wading pools, neglected hot tubs, barbeques, stationary vehicles, stored boats, flower pots, glass jars, tarps, buckets, wheelbarrows, ornamental ponds, discarded tires, clogged rain gutters and birdbaths can collect stagnant water. Fresh water minnows and gold fish eat mosquito larvae and can be added to permanent ponds. Irrigation water should be managed to prevent standing water from lasting more than three days. Plants and lawns should not be over-watered. Leaking faucets or air conditioning units should be repaired.
Dense shrubbery and vines around a house encourage infestation since they provide excellent resting places for mosquitoes. Removal or pruning of shrubbery and vines to permit the entry of sunlight will reduce mosquito resting sites.