As the weather warms up again, it’s time to start thinking about mosquitoes. Although peak mosquito season in Maryland is in June and July, prevention is the best mosquito control method. Mosquitoes in Maryland increase more every year due to warming temperatures and increased rainfall. Now is the time to start talking to your family, friends, and neighbors about prevention and control.

Preventing mosquitoes has one main element: eliminating breeding areas. In Maryland, the common species are the tiger mosquito and the common house mosquito. Tiger mosquitoes can lay their eggs on the sides of containers of water, from as large as a bucket to as small as a few drops inside an old bottle cap. House mosquitoes lay their eggs on top of standing water in larger areas of standing water, like buckets, ditches, and drains.

To prevent the breeding of these common mosquitoes, consider the taking the following steps:

• • • Clean all outdoor equipment at least weekly to remove mosquito eggs. Examples include plant pots, tarps, buckets, toys, etc.
    • Tidy your yard and porch regularly - keep extra items inside a covered area to prevent water buildup
    • Clean your house’s gutters to prevent water buildup
    • Use Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits (a bacteria based, mosquito-specific insecticide) in standing water that cannot be removed. Mosquito Dunks and Bits are safe for wildlife, people, and pets.
    • Annually inspect and repair any yard drains that may be clogged or waterlogged
    • Install a fine plastic mesh over drain grates to prevent mosquitoes from entering or exiting
    • Notify College Park Code Enforcement if there is a standing water issue causing mosquitoes on public property or multi-family complexes