Mosquitoes are a fact of life here in Dallas, but this year it looks like we’re in for a bumper crop. The continual rainfall this spring has turned Dallas into prime breeding ground for these biting pests. Mosquitoes are coming out in droves and are going to make it tough for you to enjoy any outdoor time once the storms pass.
While you may feel there is little you can do to stop the mosquito invasion, there are actually some simply treatments you can use to stop mosquitoes in their tracks. While adult mosquitoes can be sprayed with chemical treatments, or repelled with natural sprays, it can be difficult to successfully control them in this manner. Prevention is always the best medicine.
All it takes is a few handfuls of a natural larvicide to successfully prevent mosquitoes in your landscape.
Bt (Bacillius thuriengensis var. israelensis) also known as Thuricide (liquid form) or Mosquito Bits, is an all natural and amazingly effective preventative treatment for mosquitoes. This naturally occurring bacteria is fatal only to larvae and caterpillars. The species included in this product is particularly effective against Mosquito larvae (and fungus gnats). All you have to do is sprinkle a few handfuls of the bits under your foundation shrubs, any landscape beds with automated irrigation or that you water regularly, drain boxes, low spots in the yard and even gutters.
It’s a good idea to start putting out your Mosquito Bits in April and continue doing so monthly through September.
The Bt attacks the mosquito larvae and kills them before they even have a chance to hatch. This bacteria is safe for children, pets, birds and fish. It’s the most non-toxic and most effective treatment for dealing with Mosquitoes.
If you live on a creek, pitch a Mosquito Dunk in it once per month to help control the population. Pass it on to your neighbors and ask they do the same. Do the same for ponds, birdbaths, abandoned pools, or any other standing bodies of water in your neighborhood.
Hopefully, you haven’t been contributing to the moisture problem by running your sprinkler systems. The rain we’ve been getting is more than any landscape could hope to absorb and no supplemental water has been needed all spring.
Preventing mosquitoes now is the best way to prevent a serious infestation problem this summer.
