A breeding ground forms wherever still water sits undisturbed for about a week, with a little warmth and some organic material to feed the larvae. That's the whole recipe, no pond required, just standing water left alone long enough for eggs to hatch and develop.
“Breeding ground” has a very specific ring to it. It sounds like a swamp. But mosquitoes don’t need a swamp. All they need is a bit of water, the kind that you could find in any residence in Anywhere, USA.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs on or near standing water. Moving water like a stream or fountain won’t work for them. The water has to sit for roughly a week while eggs hatch into larvae. Dump it before that window closes and you break the breeding cycle.
Warmth speeds up mosquito hatching. Chicago in July provides plenty of that, and it means eggs turn into biting adults faster than they do in the cooler spring time.
Once you know the recipe, you start seeing the spots where mosquitoes set up shop. Clogged gutters, the saucers under planters, a tarp with a low fold, an old tire, a forgotten kiddie pool, or even a patch of water that won’t drain—these are all places where mosquitoes can start the next generation.
The best thing you can do to reduce mosquito breeding on your property is to start tipping over or otherwise draining sources of standing water. This action alone can make a big difference. But even still, it won’t help you with water you don’t own like an alley or the yard two doors down.
If you're tired of breeding grounds forming faster than you can find them, Mosquito Squad of Chicago treats the foliage where adult mosquitoes rest and helps you cut the breeding sources around your home, with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
