Mosquito Prevention

Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still water, which will hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place, eliminating the need to use pesticides against adult mosquitoes. This also reduces the number of mosquitoes around the house.

Here are some ways to reduce the number of mosquitoes hatching near your home in the coming months.

  • Empty standing water from garbage cans, pails, tubs and barrels and cover them or keep them upside down.
  • Keep filter skimmer working in pools and hot tubs and keep clean and chlorinated. Drain disused pools or stock with mosquito-eating fish.
  • Empty or cover boats and wading pools, pump standing water if it collects under the house.
  • Stock mosquito-eating fish in ornamental ponds.
  • Store old tires where water can’t get in them.
  • Completely change water in birdbaths and wading pools weekly. Drill drainage holes in tire swings.
  • Share this information with a neighbor.

 

Here are some natural methods to prevent mosquitoes from breeding:

MOSQUITOFISH
Mosquitofish are small minnows that eat mosquito larvae and other aquatic organisms. They are most effective in small, contained ponds and water troughs and shouldn’t be released into large natural habitats. Call the Mosquito and Vector Control District for availability at (831) 454-2590. We may refer you to the following businesses who have also kindly offered to provide them to the public (call for availability, fish are free – six per person, bring your own clean, lidded container), please patronize them by shopping while you are there for fish!

  • River Nursery and Pet Supply
    Telephone: 722-0127
    1482 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
    Nursery is closed Tuesdays.
  • Cabrillo Sand & Gravel / Aptos Landscape Supply
    Telephone: 688-6211
    5025 Freedom Boulevard (near Day Valley Rd.)
    7:30 - 5:00 Mon - Sat, Closed Sunday
  • Aptos Nursery Plus / Hidden Gardens Nursery
    Telephone: 688-7011
    7765 Soquel Drive, Aptos (Seacliff exit, across from Safeway, behind Hansen’s Feed)
    10:00 - 5:00 Mon - Sat, 10 - 4 Sunday
  • Central Coast Livestock & Trailer Supply
    Telephone: 761-2868
    225 Salinas Rd, Watsonville, 9:00 – 6:30 Mon – Fri, 9 – 5 Sat, Closed Sunday.

MOSQUITO DUNKS/BTI

BTI is bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) that kills mosquito larvae (the aquatic stage of the mosquito). It is a natural pathogen of mosquitoes, first isolated in Israel in 1976. The mosquito larvae ingest the bacteria, and it causes their gut wall to disintegrate. It is essentially non-toxic to all other organisms (including people) except for a few closely related types of flies. Bti is most effective in shallow water. Read the label carefully. Mosquito Dunks are donut-shaped briquets which contain Bti, and can be purchased at (call for availability):

  • San Lorenzo Lumber Garden Center 426-1020 235 River Street, Santa Cruz
  • General Feed and Seed Company 476-5344 1900 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz
  • Orchard Supply Hardware 475-7701 1601 41st Ave., Capitola
  • Scarborough Garden Center, 438-4106 33 El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley

Mosquito Dunks are also available through mail/phone/fax/web order catalogs:

  • Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery, 9am - 5pm PST (707) 823-9125
  • Gemplers: www.gemplers.com or (800)382-8473, Item #RSC6 Dunks 6-pack $12 or Item #77201 Bits 2 1/4 lbs $15