Help us control the mosquito population!
 The best way to reduce our mosquito population is to eliminate the places where mosquitoes breed.  Standing water provides the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.  Please follow these steps to help control the mosquito population:
 		  

 		   Put away water-holding containers such as tires, buckets, flowerpots, toys, etc.

Clean clogged roof gutters.

Properly care for backyard pools and frequently change water in birdbaths and wading pools.

Treat water in water gardens or fountains if the water does not flow on a regular basis.  You can purchase a larvicide at local home improvement stores and use it to kill mosquitoes in the water before they hatch.  Products known as “BTI”, “mosquito dunks” and “Altosid” are examples of larvicides.

Turn over canoes, small boats and wheelbarrows stored outside or cover them with a tarp. Make sure the tarp doesn't sag and allow water to collect on top of it.
 		 Repair leaks on faucets
or air conditioning units.

Ensure adequate drainage of sump pump discharge. 

Drain or fill in low areas in your yard; clean drains, ditches, and culverts to ensure proper drainage.

Cover garbage containers.

Dispose of old tires. They are a major producer of mosquitoes. The Fargo and Clay County landfills accept tires for a free.

Fill in hollow stumps that hold water with sand or concrete.

Keep grass and shrubs around your home trimmed well.

 

  
    Using chemicals to control mosquitoes
 Read labels carefully before using any control products at home. Do not use insecticides when bees and other non-target organisms are present. Allow barrier sprays to dry, typically 30 minutes, before coming in contact with treated vegetation

Larvicides: chemicals that may be placed in standing water to kill mosquito larva

Recommended active ingredients:

  • Bacillus thuringiensis – bacterial larvicide that is non-toxic and will not harm non-target, beneficial organisms
     
  • Methoprene – an insect growth regulator (IGR), which prevents larval mosquitoes from emerging as adult mosquitoes due to death at the pupal stage

Adulticides: pesticides applied to vegetation and around homes to reduce adult mosquito populations.  

Barrier sprays can be applied at any time of day. Apply to shaded areas where mosquitoes rest. Applications could have residual effects for up to several weeks.  See label for details. Recommended active ingredients: pyrethrins, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, malathion, bifenthrin

Fogging: Should be applied at active times for mosquitoes (dusk and dawn).  Use prior to outdoor activities. Will eliminate mosquitoes present at time of application, but will not prevent mosquitoes from entering the area.  Effects will last a few hours. Recommended active ingredients: permethrin and resmethrin

All active ingredients listed above are toxic to fish.  Any decorative ponds etc.  should be covered when products are being applied.  Keep children and pets away from application area until dry, typically 30 minutes. All fruits and vegetables in application area should be washed prior to consumption.

Vegetation management: Chemicals are successful if applied to mosquitoes harboring in vegetation, shrubs, and lower limbs of trees.
Recommended active ingredients:

 
   

  • Allethrin is an effective way to control mosquitoes in vegetation areas.
     

  • Malathion is useful in shaded areas. Please be aware that it may damage painted surfaces.
     

  • Carbaryl should be applied as a coarse spray on vegetation, walls and other potential mosquito resting areas.

Equipment
Misting sprayer—produces larger droplets, meant to cling to vegetation for lasting effects.

Fogger—produces smaller droplets, meant to travel farther and come into contact with larger numbers of mosquitoes.

Other resources
The North Dakota State University Extension Service offers extensive mosquito control information on its Web site at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/pests/e472w.htm

The Environmental Protection agency offers information on using repellents safely, what you should know about the repellent ingredient DEET, and the use of pesticides for mosquito control.

 

  
   

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