How to Prevent Mosquitoes After Heavy Rain or A Storm
After all this rain, you may be thinking about repairs you have to make or what to do now that the forecast is clear. You probably aren’t thinking about mosquitoes and that’s understandable. But mosquitoes pose a threat after a storm and there are mosquito warnings in our area. Below, we’re sharing what you need to know and how you can defend yourself from those itchy bites.
Here is what you need to know:
- Heavy rains and storm damage will provide attractive breeding sites for species of mosquitoes that remain active until late fall.
- Holes left by uprooted trees, tire ruts or soil erosion made by vehicles and heavy equipment fill up quickly with water that can stagnate over days. If the weather stays clear, then many of these temporary water sources should dry up and reduce the likelihood mosquito problems. However, if flooding is widespread, then persistent pockets of stagnant water are more likely to become mosquito breeding grounds
- Brunswick County spokeswoman Amanda Hutcheson said samples in the county show mosquitoes in the area have tested positive for West Nile Virus. She said these types of pests are typically drawn more to dogs and horses, but people should take appropriate precaution in the area.
Here is what you can do to reduce mosquitoes after heavy rainfall:
- Empty out any objects that have collected water. This could include buckets, tarps, gardening supplies or yard decorations.
- Make sure that gutters are free of debris and draining properly.
- Fill any holes left from uprooted trees or plants, or from any shifting due to rainfall.
- If necessary, treat pools or ponds with an insecticide containing the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). For more information, consult your maintenance group or a local specialist.
- It is best to stay indoors as much as possible after a storm, but if you do need to go outside, be mindful of areas that may have more mosquitoes (such as wooded areas) and wear light colored long sleeves shirts and pants. You can also use a bug repellent containing Deet.