Standing water is where mosquitoes lay their eggs. It doesn’t help that water is often found next to vegetation and other humid microclimates where adult mosquitoes rest during the day.
If you have water features in your yard, you’ve probably seen them attract mosquitoes. And that’s disappointing. There’s nowhere better to spend your summer days than by the water.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. It takes about one week for eggs to hatch and then become biting adults, many of which will lay their own eggs (up to 300 at a time). Ponds with moving, circulating water or fish won’t accumulate eggs. Stagnant ponds and ditches, as well as containers, absolutely will. It takes less than you might expect, too, as some species of mosquitoes can breed in as little as a bottle cap of water.
Grown mosquitoes also tend to stay close to water. They are fragile and they dehydrate in sun and dry air. So they spend their days pressed into shaded, humid vegetation. Plantings around water features often have the most humid microclimate, and that’s why you can often find them around there.
Seldom do mosquitoes commute. Many backyard species live out their lives within a hundred yards or so of their hatch site. So watery areas tend to concentrate mosquito populations.
If you’re tired of seeing mosquitoes buzzing around, it helps to dump and scrub water-holding containers weekly. If you have rain barrels, screen them. If you have drainage issues, fix them. It’s also smart to keep ornamental water circulating and landscaping trimmed.
If you’re tired of mosquitoes taking over your yard, Mosquito Squad of The Sandhills can help. Mosquito Squad pairs barrier treatment with water-feature strategies, helping protect your yard with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
