Mosquito Control Inspections - Top Overlooked Breeding Sites
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When it comes to mosquito control inspections are important. The key to a successful mosquito service is a thorough inspection, done on each visit to the customer’s property. If all mosquito breeding sites are not identified and either eliminated or treated, your customers will not be happy and you will waste time and money on callbacks. The ‘usual suspects’ for mosquito breeding include bird baths, buckets, kiddie pools, kids’ toys, discarded trash, used tires, etc.; basically, anything that will hold water from bottle caps to an abandoned swimming pool. However, some breeding sites may be ‘cryptic’, that is, hidden or not very obvious. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Mosquito Control Inspections - Top 9 Overlooked Spots
Water-holding plants, such as bromeliads – it is not likely these can or will be removed but they can be treated with a larvicide.
In-ground drains – ask if the customer has an irrigation system that utilizes in-ground drains. These often hold water and a high content of organic matter, perfect for foul water-loving mosquitoes such as the Northern and Southern house mosquitoes.
Corrugated plastic tubes – these are often attached to downspouts to pull water away from structures. The ends usually curl up and hold just enough water to cause trouble!
Large piles of leaves – adult mosquitoes will rest in damp piles of leaves, and some leaves are large enough to hold water.
Clogged gutters – some folks have full-blown botanical gardens growing in their gutters!
Treeholes – remember to look up! A large treehole can hold lots of water, and many species of mosquitoes will breed here.
Abandoned rodent bait boxes – these can hold water and are like the Ritz-Carlton to mosquitoes!
Drainage saucers under potted plants – recommend that your customers set their pots on bamboo sticks or rocks to increase the drainage. Drainage saucers are breeding heaven, especially for the Asian tiger mosquito and yellow fever mosquito.
Tarps – these always sag, collect water and organic debris, resulting in a ‘Mosquito Motel’!
The presence of mosquitoes on a property means a majority of species are breeding nearby. As a result, your mosquito control inspections are important. Keeping both the usual & unusual breeding sites in mind when on a property will give you a leg up with your customer! Captain Stan Cope (aka the Mosquito Man) is our Vice President of Technical Services, learn more about him here: https://catchmasterpro.com/blog/stan-cope-phd/
