ELIZABETHTOWN — Bladen County Environmental Health issued a tip for preventing the growth of mosquitoes.
“Dunks can be used to help prevent mosquito growth within standing water, but the most important thing to do is to continuously tip and toss containers that hold water,” said Marianne Vanlentiner, helath educator with Bladen County Health Department. “This would include items such as (bird baths, water buckets, flower pot trays, etc.) The public can buy dunks at places like, Feed and Garden, Lowes, Bladen Builders Supply and Big Blue.”
Mosquitoes breed in all kinds of water — from small containers such as tree holes and tin cans to large bodies of water like lakes or marshes. Mosquito breeding water may be salty or fresh, polluted or clean, standing or slow moving. All these breeding places create a variety of mosquito problems.
Mosquitoes can be controlled either as adults or larvae. Controlling mosquitoes after they have become adults requires expensive and complicated equipment. Wherever possible, it is best to use larval mosquito control. This prevents adult mosquito problems before they get started.
In addition to dunks, mosquito breeding places can be eliminated by
— emptying, destroying, recycling, or covering containers like tires, tin cans, buckets, and bottles where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
— Changing water in bird baths and pet bowls at least once a week.
— Removing or emptying dishes under potted plants.
— Stock ponds and ditches with fish.
Remember, it only takes seven days for eggs to hatch.
For more information, call Bladen County Environmental Health at 910-862-6852.