Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Good Rain For Lawns And Breeding Sites For Mosquitos

by Lamar James

Extension Communications Specialist

A good rain is not only good for your lawn, it's good for producing breeding sites for mosquitos.

Many people find an abundance of this pest around their homes after rainy spells, according to Dr. Bill Jones, an entomologist for the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.

"Anything that can collect standing water will attract mosquitos around homes," Jones said. "In any wet period, you'll have an increase of mosquitos as long as you have water standing in cans, old tires or even bird baths. These are perfect for breeding mosquitos."

Mosquitos can be a major annoyance for people working outside during spring and summer, or for outside pets. If mosquitos slip into your home, Jones said, they can annoy you all night long.

Mosquitos can carry several diseases, but the main problem associated with mosquitos is the itching caused by their bites. The itching can last for days. Some people may have allergic reactions to mosquitos.

Thanks to modern methods of mosquito control and our high standard of living, the insect isn't considered a major source of disease spread in the United States. They are, however, a major source of disease in Third World countries, Jones said.

"The largest mosquito population in the world is in the tundra in the far north, especially in Alaska and northern Canada," he said. "Mosquitos there have no natural enemies. There are about 140 species of mosquitos in North America."

In Arkansas, mosquitos are especially bad in rice producing areas in the delta region where water stands in fields and ditches.

The females of some mosquito species lay only one egg at a time, while the females of other species may lay hundreds of eggs in what is called a raft, Jones said.

"Common mosquitos found around homes in Arkansas will lay rafts that look like pieces of soot floating in water. They consist of hundreds of eggs. The larvae, called wigglers, can become full grown in anywhere from two days to two weeks, depending on the species," Jones said.

Mosquitos tend to be attracted to people wearing certain cosmetics or to people with fair skin, according to Jones.

How should you deal with mosquito problems? "Obviously, when you remove standing water around your home, you reduce the problem, because you destroy their breeding sites. If that is not feasible, diesel fuel or certain insecticides can be used to control them at the breeding sites.

"There are several excellent repellants on the market. Be sure to follow the directions." Jones said there are effective medicinal sprays to reduce the itching caused by the insect bites.

For additional information about mosquito problems, contact your county agent with the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.