No water, no mosquitos: Clearing standing water keeps critters at bay

Summer is officially here, and many Takoma Parkers head outdoors to enjoy the s e a s o n — u n l e s s they are plagued by mosquitoes. Takoma Park’s Housing and Community Development staff says in order to keep them away, eliminating standing water is essential. It only takes a teaspoon or a bottle cap of water standing for about a week for hundreds of eggs to grow into adult mosquitoes. Here are a few hints:

• Make sure that you remove any tires, rubbish, or even toys that might hold water.
• Change water in any bird baths or pet dishes at least once a week.
• Make sure your gutters are clear and that water is not pooling in your downspouts.
• If you have a rain barrel or a pond without fish, you can get special mosquito dunks or pellets that kill mosquito larvae.

This article appeared in the August 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.