According to Sharon Lawler and Gregory Lanzaro, Department of Entomology at the University of California-Davis, there are four basic principles of mosquito prevention.
- Prevent or eliminate wastewater. Any water that stands for more than four days is a breeding ground. This includes water in ruts or containers not being used such as old tires and machinery. Properly drain areas so no surface water is left standing.
- Keep weeds well trimmed around ponds and ditches. Weeds are the perfect hiding place for mosquitoes. Significant mosquito problems can occur in waters that are very weedy and shallow, especially if they receive runoff that includes fertilizers or manure. Prevent these problems by using fertilizers conservatively and by creating a buffer between fields and wetlands.
- Irrigate properly so surface water is gone within four days.
- Supplement preventive methods with biological and chemical control. Consider treating ponds with a biological larvicide (see chart) or introduce insect-eating fish (see sidebar). You can treat the water in livestock troughs with a biological larvicide. Mosquito fish can be added to control mosquitoes in tanks or troughs. Ten to 15 adult fish can provide quick control.
Pastures are often placed on shallow, poorly drained soils. To ensure pastures don't become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, consider implementing these practices: a. Grade land for irrigation and drainage before planting a forage crop. b. Wet soil just to depth of the roots. c. Irrigate only as needed. d. Drain excess water within 24 hours after irrigating. e. Inspect drainage and broken checks. f. Keep animals off soft soil. g. Rotate fields. Breaking up fields into smaller ones will allow you to rotate animals so fields can dry properly. h. Avoid overfertilizing.
Livestock management practices can also make a difference when it comes to controlling mosquitoes. If livestock drink from ponds and natural pools of water, their waste adds nutrients. This is food for mosquitoes.
In addition, if the area around the pond is soft, hoofprints can create puddles. Install a fence around the pond to keep livestock out. This will also prevent erosion of the bank.
The area around watering troughs can have the same problem. Animal hooves produce hundreds of small water pockets. Permanently correct this mosquito-breeding ground by providing drainage or paving around the trough.
Regularly clean cattle tanks and watering troughs. If drainage outside the trough is good, you can flush out the water every week, and this will help control mosquitoes. If tanks or troughs are not being used, remove them. |
The mosquito fish is a small top-feeding minnow that is often used to control mosquito larvae.