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For the latest information about the City's mosquito control
efforts:
Organic mosquito control for your yard
Source:
Howard Garrett,
also known as "The Dirt Doctor" is a local landscaper, arborist, and
horticulturist known for educating the public of the benefits of organic
landscaping and gardening.
- Empty standing water where possible.
- For standing water that can't be emptied, such as an
ornamental pond, stock Gambusia fish (minnows that eat mosquito larvae)
or use a Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis ‘israelensis') product such as
Bactimos Briquettes.
- Spray for adult mosquitoes with garlic products
orange oil and other plant oil or citronella.
- Use organic management to encourage birds, bats,
dragonflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Use skin repellents that contain natural herbs such
as aloe vera, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree, and citrus oil.
- Bug light devices do not work! They kill more
beneficials than the pests.
-
Broadcast cedar
granules on the ground where mosquitoes are a problem.
Homeowner's mosquito control checklist
- Change water twice a week in birdbaths, flower vases
and pet watering bowls.
- Empty and store under cover plastic wading pools and
toys that catch water.
- Throw away or store under cover cans, jars,
containers, buckets, pails and watering cans.
- Replace plant saucers with ‘pot feet' or fill saucers
with pea gravel.
- The Dallas City Code requires that tires be kept
under a roofed structure.
- Report standing water in catch basins at road
corners, storm drains and bar ditches pools to the City of Dallas by
calling 3-1-1 .
- Report abandoned swimming pools to the City of Dallas
by calling 3-1-1 or (214) 948-4429.
- Keep lids closed on garbage containers.
- Pick up litter, such as aluminum cans and bottles ,
that can collect water.
- Clean or replace clogged roof gutters and downspouts.
- Cut the backside of corrugated plastic pipe attached
to downspouts to allow water to drain completely.
- Drain water on flat roofs or treat standing water
with larvicide.
- Repair leaky outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems.
- Level low spots in your yard and tire ruts with sand
or dirt.
- Improve flowerbed drainage by digging trenches to
allow water to flow and absorb into the ground.
- For ornamental ponds, add mosquito-eating minnows for
mosquito larva control or aerate with a pump.
- Avoid over-watering of your yard.
- Make sure sprinkler systems are set correctly to
prevent over-watering of your yard.
- Fill tree stumps and holes with sand and/or mortar.
- Clean out and cover utility meter vaults.
- Turn upside or store under cover your wheelbarrows,
yard/utility carts, and wagons.
- Empty boat covers and vehicle tarps frequently.
Source: Concerned Citizens of Dallas |
