Although the weather has been less than warm in Los Angeles, we have seen mosquitoes surfacing earlier than usual, mainly due to the amount of rainfall we had this winter and early fall, as reported by Gordon Tokumatsu with NBC LA.
Did you know that there are approximately 3,600 species of small flies comprising the family Culicidae?
The word “mosquito” is Spanish for “little fly.“Almost everyone has been bitten by a mosquito, including your pets. Mosquitoes can spread pathogens (germs) through bites. Some of them carry major diseases, like West Nile virus, dengue, or malaria. They are the most annoying blood suckers and quite difficult to control.
All mosquitoes like water because mosquito larvae and pupae live in the water with little or no flow. Active from May to November, mosquitoes are now coming out of hibernation and laying eggs where ever they can find water. As we have been warned that this may be the worst mosquito season in years, you must get a hold of the situation now and get rid of them before they multiply. Fortunately for us there are ways to help the situation, from repellent spray for your body to products that can be strategically placed around your garden to dispose of their larva, as well as companies which will spray chemicals harmless to humans but deadly to mosquitoes.
We have two types to worry about: the native culex breed (so-called ankle-biters) and the more dangerous ones, vectors of diseases like Zika and West Nile virus.
First, you should conduct a thorough inspection of your home, check your fountains, saucers, bird bath, etc. Standing water serves as a breeding source for mosquitoes, and any container with as little as a teaspoon of water can allow the insects to propagate, according to the Los Angeles County Vector Control District per vector control district Community Liaison Caroline Gong.
I recently came across a company called Summit… responsible solutions which is committed to providing responsible solutions to the pest control problems that plague people everywhere. An industry leader for decades, Summit offers cutting-edge products that are gentle on the earth yet tough enough to tackle an infestation. Summit works with public health officials, pest control professionals and homeowners to keep highly toxic pesticides out of our environment by offering natural options that are economical and extremely effective.
Here is what I recommend:
Try Mosquito Bits: They are little pieces of a highly effective bio pesticide that works in standing water to kill mosquito larvae and in soil or growing media to kill fungus gnat larvae. When applied to water, it will release Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a naturally occurring bacterium that acts as a species-specific larvicide. As it dissipates in the water, the larvae that’s present will feed on it and perish within 24 hours. After application, Mosquito Bits will provide control that will last up to 14 days in water with low to moderate organic content.
They can be applied nearly anywhere that standing water can be found, including but not limited to: unused swimming pools, flowerpots and saucers, bird baths, animal watering troughs, old automobile tires, ditches, ponds and rain barrels. It only takes a small amount of water for mosquito larvae to grow in, so it should be applied wherever there is stagnant water no matter how small an area that might be. Mosquito Bits may be applied to areas that contain aquatic life, fish, and plants and to areas used by or in contact with humans, animals, livestock, pets, birds, or wildlife. The one exception is that they cannot be applied to treated, finished drinking water receptacles or reservoirs where the water is intended for human consumption. It comes in 3 sizes and can be easily applied.
Along with it I ordered:
Mosquito Dunks, which also contain Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a targeted larvicide from a naturally occurring bacterium that controls mosquito larvae. These doughnut-shaped Dunks float on water and as they dissipate into the water they will slowly release the Bti on the water’s surface. Mosquito larvae growing under the water’s surface will feed on the Bti and perish within 24 hours of ingestion. Under normal environmental conditions the larvae will be controlled for at least 30 days.
Like Mosquito Bits, Mosquito Dunks can be used in all types of containerized standing water sites where mosquito larvae grow, except finished, treated drinking water intended for human consumption. This includes unused swimming pools, flowerpots and saucers, bird baths, animal watering troughs, old automobile tires, ditches, ponds and rain barrels. They can also be used in outdoor areas expected to flood and indoors in places that are known to collect water, like elevator shafts, basements that flood, sump pumps and any drainage areas within buildings.
Last but not least, I spray:
Summit 122 Year-Round Spray Oil for Garden Insects Ready-to-Use
It kills and repels a multitude of insects on a wide variety of plants without synthetic toxins
- Adds a shiny luster to your plants’ leaves
- Prevents and cures powdery mildew
- Convenient premixed Year-Round Spray Oil in convenient quart spray bottle
- For use in the garden.
And Voila! This is your next project for the weekend. You won’t regret it.
For more info go to: www.summitchemical.com
