Mosquitoes breed in standing water, and properties near lakes, ponds, and wetlands sit closer to larger breeding populations and the persistent humidity mosquitoes need to thrive.
If you live in the New Hampshire Lakes Region and feel like mosquitoes are worse on your property than they are for friends who live inland, you're not wrong. And it's frustrating to love where you live but dread stepping onto your own deck in the evening.
People love the water. Mosquitoes love it more. And you can blame that on the fact that mosquitoes are tied to it at every stage of their life cycle. Females lay eggs on or near standing water. Larvae develop entirely in water. Even as adults, mosquitoes stay close to moisture because they dehydrate easily.
Standing water is where the problem is at its worst, but even though the lake itself circulates, the little pools along its shoreline don’t. So bring on the mosquitoes.
But it's not just the lake itself. Properties near water tend to have higher ambient humidity, shadier microclimates, and more dense vegetation. All of these are places where adult mosquitoes can stop and rest during the day.
If you want to tamp down on mosquitoes, reducing standing water is one of the best ways to do that. Common sources of trouble are gutters that don't drain fully, birdbaths, upturned kayaks, tarps over firewood, and plant saucers. Any container that holds even a small amount of water for more than a few days can produce a new generation of mosquitoes. And while you can’t solve all the lakefront mosquito problems with actions taken on your own, it’s never a bad idea to follow the 7 T's of mosquito control.
That said, if you’re a Lakes Region homeowner and you’re tired of dealing with mosquitoes on the waterfront, Mosquito Squad of New Hampshire Lakes can help. Mosquito Squad provides barrier treatments designed for properties where the surrounding environment keeps mosquito populations high. A technician comes out to your property and checks out the conditions on-site, including shaded zones, vegetation patterns, and water features. Then they treat the trouble areas and come back every 21 days to make sure your protection stays steady all season long.
