Each year, the third week of June is recognized as National Mosquito Control Awareness Week by the American Mosquito Control Association. This week aims to educate the public about the significance of mosquitos in their daily lives and the vital service provided by mosquito control workers throughout the United States and worldwide.

Facts on Mosquitos

• Mosquitos are blood-sucking insects and are attributed to a low quality of life because of the annoyance and pain they cause.
• Some species bite in the evenings, while others bite during the day.
• Mosquitos are much more than a nuisance. They are the vector of many diseases and cause the death of hundreds of thousands of people each year. They also transmit many diseases and parasites to animals and pets.
• The risk of exotic disease transmission is increasing because of the increasing interactions between humans, animals, and mosquitos. This is owed to increased populations, people inhabiting new locations, and climate change.

Controlling Mosquitos

Just like in other parts of the world, mosquito population control is much needed in the US. In addition to the health risks, uncontrolled mosquito populations can cause big disruptions in people’s lives. Mosquitos can quickly make outdoors events—such as sports, camping, picnics, reunions, concerts, parades, wedding ceremonies, and theme parks—unbearable.

The best way to control mosquito populations is through science-based integrated pest management strategies. The following information outlines ways to reduce breeding grounds and protect yourself from mosquitos:

• Drain. Eliminate standing water in places such as gutters, pet dishes, birdbaths, tree holes, tires, plant pots, and discarded cans, bottles, and toys.
• Decimate. Apply a biological larvicide outside where you want to keep water for irrigation and animals, such as rain barrels, fountains, birdbaths, etc. They can also be applied to the places listed in the previous bullet point. Larvicides kill larvae and pupae before they become biting adults but do not harm people, pets, or the environment. Larvicides are conveniently formulated as dunks, tablets, bits, pellets, granules, and briquettes.
• Dress. Wear long sleeves and pants while outside or in the woods and cover your neck and hands.
• Defend. Use mosquito repellents that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Always follow the label directions when using these products.

More Information

Find more information on protecting yourself from mosquitos in the Extension Brief, “Methods to Effectively Protect You from Mosquito Bites.”