Tips to keep mosquito population in check
There are few things on earth that are universally hated — stubbing a toe, the noise Styrofoam makes and hitting every red light when you’re running behind — are a few that come to mind. But this time of year, another nuisance is buzzing around, turning the garden from a safe haven to anything but — mosquitoes. Anyone with an understanding of the ecosystem recognizes mosquitoes and their larvae as an important food source. Many bird species, especially swallows and purple martins eat mosquitoes. Fish and dragonflies also eat mosquito larvae.
Despite this it is hard not to wish them away.
There are around 30 commonly found species of mosquitoes in Virginia. Wing beat frequency is one thing that helps identify them and makes that maddening sound when they’re flying near your ear. A mosquito biting is a colloquial misnomer, being that their highly specialized mouthparts function more like a straw. Their diet may also consist of nectar, but it is the females’need for iron rich blood for egg laying that has led to such highly specialized mouthparts. When they “bite” their saliva is recognized as a foreign substance by your body and causes a histamine reaction, which creates the itching and swelling we all hate. Their saliva can also carry bacteria, viruses and parasites, making them more than an annoyance.
National Mosquito Awareness Week for 2019 will be observed June 23 to 29.
And while it is still a few weeks off, it is never to early to learn all the best ways to wage war on these pests. The mission of National Mosquito Awareness week is to educate the public about the importance of city mosquito control programs and raise awareness on the insect’s significance in public health. Mosquitoes are more than just a pest. The World Health Organization estimates1million deaths annually from mosquito borne illnesses. And while most of the deaths are attributed to malaria, the long list of illnesses mosquitoes spread includes dengue, West Nile virus and zika virus.
I met up with Chuck Abadam over a few beers on a porch in Norfolk to talk about mosquitoes. Despite the time of day being dusk, we had little interference from the crepuscular pests. City worker by day, mustachioed mosquito slayer by night, Abadam shares his depth of knowledge with anyone who calls his name. The tricks of the trade that he’s so willing to share really work. I haven’t seen a skeeter in weeks.
Abadam fell in love with entomology while earning his biology degree at Old Dominion University. And though he always imagined a career in ecology, he was excited to find an enthusiastic group of entomologists waiting for him in city of Suffolk mosquito control. He’s been there for13 years and appreciates the collaboration between universities and other cities in Hampton Roads. Species surveillance, screening for disease, testing pesticide resistance and larvacide efficacy are just a few of the realms that keep mosquito control departments busy when they aren’t out misting.
Abadam encourages homeowners to check their property weekly for standing water.
“People don’t think they have standing water in their yard, but everyone does. It can be the smallest amount — in a plant saucer or clogged gutter.”
The mosquito life cycle is dependent on water, he explained. “If every homeowner makes weekly checks, that would make all the difference.”
Abadam was kind enough to set up a mosquito trap, complete with lure, in my backyard. Although I have the professional grade DynaTrap brand, he recommends the Biogents BG Sentinel trap with Biogents lure, which costs about $170 online. “They cost a lot, I’m not going to lie,” Abadam said. “But you’ll have something that works and it works every single year.”
There are very few tools available to mosquito control departments, Abadam said. Larvicides, growth regulators and adulticides are mainstays of the arsenal, but Abadam also explained how the limited chemicals available, especially in adulticides, increase the occurrence and risk of pesticide resistance. I resolved to seek a better understanding of mosquito sprays and misters before using them, or refrain from using them at all.
The trap and lure system is a sustainable choice because it doesn’t use chemicals — not even the lure is toxic. Checking for standing water weekly and emptying bird baths regularly will limit mosquito habitats. And for ponds or in areas that hold water before draining for a few days, Bt (Bacillus thurgiensis) is a relatively cheap organic control available for homeowners. Industrial fans for sitting areas are also effective, literally blowing poor flying mosquitoes away.
Although Abadam doesn’t mind the job security, he still dreams of neighborhoods with relatively nonexistent mosquito populations. Obviously mosquitoes can fly from place to place and there are some habitats for them that will never disappear, but through education it could be possible to form huge swaths of property where mosquitoes won’t want to, or can’t exist.
Through diligence and informed sustainable choices, hopefully we can all spend this year’s National Mosquito Awareness Week celebrating their absence in our yard. In Full Bloom is a weekly feature from Allissa Bunner that focuses on sustainable gardening, environmental stewardship and related community news and initiatives. Bunner is a Norfolk resident who is passionate about plants — especially natives — and enjoys growing things from seed. She admits to a botany bias (blame the biology degree from Old Dominion University) and is working on becoming a well-rounded naturalist as she also teaches her two children to have a love for nature. She can be reached at allissa.x@gmail.com.