Here in Texas, mosquito control is practically a year-round task. To make our jobs easier, we like to educate our community on ways they can take mosquito control into their own hands because it takes a village when it comes to mosquito control. As the weather warms up, we will see a lot more mosquitoes. Remember, mosquitoes need standing water to breed, and many objects can be ideal breeding areas after it rains. So make sure there aren’t any opportunities for mosquitoes in your Tarrant County yard. 

However annoying mosquitoes are, they can also be deadly. Mosquitoes are known to carry deadly mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, West Nile, Dengue Fever, and EEE. One of the common places that mosquitoes might use to breed is in our water features. Luckily you can take some steps to eliminate mosquitoes without compromising on your water features.

Make Sure Your Tarrant County Water Features Are Clean

At DFW Mosquito, we have seen and treated it all. One of the most common reasons mosquitoes choose water features is because they are not kept clean. When organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings, or twigs sit in water, they decompose and provide food and protection for mosquito eggs and larvae. It takes less than two weeks for a mosquito larva to reach adulthood after hatching. 

Change Your Water Regularly

As mentioned above, it can take seven to ten days for a mosquito egg to hatch and grow into an adult. With a life cycle that fast, you could see a new generation of mosquitos join the others every other week. Unless the water is actively moving, we highly recommend cleaning and replacing the water in your water features every five days. This will ensure that no larvae make it to the adult stage. 

Keep The Water Moving

If you have a water feature where the water moves, you are in good shape. Mosquitoes can’t lay eggs in moving water because they rely on the surface tension to keep their eggs afloat. Agitating the water breaks the surface tension and prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs. You can buy an agitator at your local hardware or gardening store right here in Tarrant County. 

Mosquito Fish

The Gambusia holbrooki are tiny fish (only 6.5 cm), but they have a big appetite for mosquitoes. Many homeowners throughout Tarrant County put these fish in their ponds and fountains to control the mosquito population. Don’t mix them with larger fish or turtles who will prey on them. They are commonly called mosquito fish and can be purchased online or at your local pet store. 

Mosquitoes Don’t Like Deep Water

Maybe it’s the fear of the unknown, but female mosquitoes do not like to deposit their eggs in deep water. This could be a survival instinct wired into the mosquito’s brain, warning them that fish could be lurking below the surface. This can come in handy if you have a deep water feature. 

Promote Natural Predators

Natural methods are always the better option, and luckily when it comes to mosquito control, there are plenty of ways to enlist nature’s help. There are many animals that prey on mosquitoes, and they do a really good job at it too. Birds such as swallows and martins are perfect examples of mosquito hunters. At night, bats take to the sky to devour as many mosquitoes as they can. You can promote natural mosquito predators by putting up birdhouses and bat houses throughout your lawn.

For Year-Round Mosquito Control, Call DFW Mosquito

The best way to eliminate mosquitoes for good is by calling a professional pest control company specializing in mosquito management. Don’t allow mosquitoes to keep you from enjoying your outdoor spaces this winter. Call the experts at DFW Mosquito and get set up on a year-round mosquito control program that will keep these pests out of sight and out of mind. 

Are you hosting a special event such as a graduation, wedding, birthday, or holiday and don’t want your guests running home in fear? Call and ask about our mosquito control for special events.

After you sign up, our mosquito control specialists will assess your Tarrant County property and create a program that fits your needs. Give us a call at (817) 615-4944 or send us a message. Don’t forget to follow our blog for helpful mosquito control tips in Texas.

On social media? We are too. Check us out and like us on Facebook!