Extension Notes …

Posted July 20, 2016 at 2:09 pm

Controlling mosquitos where you live

Sources: Lee Townsend, UK entomologist

Controlling mosquitos is challenging to say the least. You may even think you are fighting a never-ending battle. With mosquito-borne diseases like the Zika virus becoming more prevalent, it’s even more important to know how to take control of these pests around your home environment. Learning to do a few simple things could help protect you from more than the itchiness of a mosquito bite.

All mosquitos need standing water to develop through their larval stages and that doesn’t necessarily mean a lake or pond. It also includes bird baths, kiddie pools and even discarded soda pop cans. The key to controlling them around your home is to stop them from breeding in the first place.

Some things you can do include:

• Drain and remove trash, bottles and any debris that holds water.

• Recycle any unused containers that could collect water, especially old tires.

• Change water weekly in bird baths, wading pools, watering troughs and animal bowls.

• Fill in holes, depressions and puddles in your yard.

• Make sure your culverts and ditches are draining properly.

• Check and clean out clogged gutters to ensure drainage.

• Keep ornamental ponds stocked with fish.

• Fix leaky hoses and faucets.

• Drain water from flowerpots and garden containers.

• Turn over wheelbarrows, buckets and other items that collect water.

• Adjust tarps covering woodpiles, boats and grills to remove standing water.

• Encourage natural enemies of mosquitoes, such as warblers, swallows, martins and other insect feeding birds.

It’s a good idea to start these practices early in the season. Just because the mosquitoes aren’t biting yet, doesn’t mean that they’re not developing.

For more information about mosquito control, visit http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entdept/faculty/Brown/index_files/Page601.htm or contact the Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service at 606-387-5404.

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Twin Lakes Cattle

Association quarterly meeting

The Twin Lakes Cattle Association will hold its third quarterly meeting on Tuesday, July 26th at 6:00 p.m. CST at the SKRECC building. The meeting will begin with a meal and also include a guest speaker. Please call the Clinton County Extension Office at 606-387-5404 if you plan to attend so meal preparations can be made.