City of Lake Forest Park News Release

What are the methods for mosquito control on private property?

There are several methods of controlling mosquitoes on private property and often a combination of methods will produce the best results. Natural methods are preferable prior to considering the use of pesticides. Control of mosquito larvae is generally more effective than trying to control adult mosquitoes.

Source reduction: Effective prevention and reduction of adult mosquito populations begins by surveying the property and getting rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed. This includes containers that hold water such as buckets and tires and water pooling on roofs, tarps, and in boat hulls. Wetlands and natural ponds, however, should not be drained.

Natural predators: In nature, there are many predators that eat adult mosquitoes or mosquito larvae. These include fish, frogs and other aquatic animals and wildlife around ponds and wetlands such as, swallows, and bats. In confined ponds, animal water troughs, and abandoned swimming pools adding goldfish or koi can also be very effective for controlling mosquito larvae.

Larviciding: Larviciding includes the use of biological, biochemical, and chemical pesticide control products applied to water sources to kill the immature larvae before they hatch into adult flying mosquitoes. Many larvicides (such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Bti) come in the form of pellets or small donut-shaped "dunks". Larviciding can be effective if done correctly but it is important to READ THE LABEL before using products and to follow state and federal laws.

Spraying for adult mosquitoes: Spraying adult mosquitoes (called "adulticiding") is generally less effective than the methods to control larvae, as described above. Adulticiding may be considered when there is a severe nuisance problem to provide relief from heavy swarms of biting mosquitoes or when public health officials have determined the risk from mosquito borne diseases outweigh the potential risks from the use of these products. Products for adulticiding include permethrin, resmethrin, and sumithrin; these have been evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure they can be used safely.

What can I do to reduce mosquito breeding on my property?
Many of the types of mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus prefer to lay their eggs in containers of water such as buckets and bird baths common to many backyards. By reducing these sources of water, you'll go a long way towards reducing the numbers of mosquitoes hatching near your windows and in your yard where you and your family spend time. While we will never get rid of all mosquitoes, it does make sense to reduce sources of mosquitoes breeding in your yard.

Tips for reducing mosquito breeding habitat:

• Tip water out of barrels, buckets and wheelbarrows and turn them over so water cannot collect
• Empty children's wading pools weekly

• Change water in birdbaths, pet watering dishes and animal troughs at least once a week
•Tip out containers that could hold water such as toys, cans or plant saucers weekly

• Discard, properly store or drill holes in used tires
• Clean debris from ornamental ponds and keep fountains running during the summer
• Stock ornamental ponds with fish
• Maintain swimming pools and hot tubs
• Recycle old bottles, buckets, and cans
• Clean leaf-clogged gutters
• Drain flat topped roofs
• Dump water off of tarps and plastic sheeting • Drain water from covers on pools, boats and hot tubs
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets
• Cover rain barrels with mosquito screens
• Cover garbage cans with an appropriate lid
• Repair ripped window and door screens and make sure they fit tight; use a screen door on doors that often are left open.

This information is from Seattle King County Public Health. For the complete flyer, click here.