Women who are pregnant are more impacted by mosquitoes with Zika than anyone else. Birth defects can result from the Zika virus. The Zika virus can be transmitted sexually by a man that is infected. The virus usually causes flu like symptoms that disappear in a few days but older people and people who have lowered immunity can die from the virus.

Zika is not the only disease that mosquitoes carry. The large numbers of ships from all over the world that bring trade goods to New Jersey ports are a major source of disease carrying mosquitoes. 

While the government of New Jersey does have plans in place for minimizing the health damage that mosquitoes can cause a homeowner must take steps to protect themselves.

These are the most effective measures that a person can use to keep their property free from mosquitoes that can damage the health of people, pets, and livestock.

1) Use personal mosquito repellent

Use a repellent that has DEET, eucalyptus oil, picaridin, ethyl hexanediol, indalone, dimethyl carbate, or dimethyl phthalate. Each of these chemicals has been tested and proven to be safe in preventing mosquitoes from biting people by the CDC and European Union.

A person must use the mosquito repellent every time they go outside. Extra care should be used when swimming. Most of the repellents will wash off if a person stays in the water a long time. Application of the repellent must be repeated after swimming.

2) Eliminate standing water

Mosquitoes breed in water. The insects lay eggs in water and the eggs develop and hatch. Thousands of eggs can be laid by a single mosquito.

A homeowner must eliminate all standing water in and around their property. The most common breeding ground for mosquitoes is abandoned and discarded vehicle tires. Rain collects in the inside of the tire providing a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. 

The simple disposal method is to take the tire to a business that sells tires. Federal environmental law requires the business that sells tires to take the tire and dispose of it properly even if you do not buy anything.

A homeowner needs to look for other areas where water can collect. The corner of your rain gutters, the down spout of your rain gutters, children’s swimming pools, leaks in the basement, leaks in the garage, and any container that has water in it can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Some of these fixes may be expensive but the cost has to be measured against the health of your family.

3) Netting

Netting for windows and screen doors has been developed that provide economical and efficient mosquito control. The netting prevents mosquitoes from entering the residence. The netting is so fine that the insects cannot get through it to enter the home even if the windows are open.

4) Traps

Researchers have developed traps for adult mosquitoes. The trap is baited with a substance that attracts mosquitoes. Sugar, lactic acid, water vapor, and even sounds are used as attractants. Scents that mimic animal smells have been shown to be very efficient in attracting mosquitoes.

Once a mosquito enters the trap it is poisoned by an environmentally friendly poison. Any eggs that are laid in the trap are physically contained by a mesh that prevents the developing mosquitoes from escaping until they die.

The number of traps that are needed to control mosquitoes depends on the size of the property. The traps must be emptied and resupplied with attractant and mosquito killer on a regular basis.

5) Natural control

Numerous species of birds and fish eat live mosquitoes, mosquito larvae, and mosquito eggs. A few of these species are native to New Jersey. Testing has shown that some fish species that eat mosquitoes can survive in New Jersey even during the winter.

Care must be taken when importing animals that are not native to New Jersey. Some permitting is required and can be expensive. Birds provide control until they migrate south for the winter. Mosquitoes do live throughout the winter.

The fish solution will only work if your property has a relatively large body of water.

6) Poisons

There are a variety of poisons on the market that are specifically designed to kill mosquitoes. The poisons can kill adults and larvae. The poisons can be applied through spray or addition to water.

Homeowners need to be extremely careful with poisons. Mosquito poisons can kill some animals and some fish. Poisons can affect the health of older people and people who have diseases. Poisons must be reapplied periodically to maintain control. 

7) Hire a professional

Hiring a professional exterminator involves the least effort on the homeowner’s part and produces the most effective and safest control of mosquitoes on any type of property.

A professional pest control company has extensive training in mosquito control. The experts have experience with dealing with mosquitoes in a variety of environments. 

A professional can work with you to select the mosquito control that fits your health needs, the health of the animals you own, and prevent damage to your garden and decorative plants.

A professional pest control company can keep you out of trouble with environmental laws and fines that can be expensive. 

Alliance Pest Services provides homeowners several yard programs to keep them pest and bug free.  Call today for New Jersey pest control.