MOSQUITO CONTROL MEASURES in animal shelter settings Mosquitoes can spread a number of animal and zoonotic diseases. Control programs should focus on decreasing their numbers to minimze the risk of disease spread. Life Cycle Control of Adult Mosquitoes Mosquito prevention and control involves a basic - This is the least e cient way to control mosquitoes understanding of their life cycle. - Special equipment is needed to apply pesticides to kill adult mosquitoes (adulticides); small droplets are A mosquito life cycle has 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa, produced that drift through the air and contact adult and adult mosquitoes to kill them - The entire cycle can take as little as four days or as long - Check with your local extension o ce or department as one month, depending on species and temperature of pest management to determine which pesticides - All mosquitoes must have water for their life cycle are approved for use in your area - Most eggs hatch within 48 hours - The use of pesticides should only be supplemental to controlling mosquitoes through the reduction and Mosquito Control and Prevention management of mosquito egg laying sites - Pyrethrin or 5% malathion can be fogged outdoors; The best way to control mosquitoes is to remove Follow all label directions potential egg laying sites - Contact your local extension agent for assistance in Remove any sources of standing water developing a mosquito management plan - Add drainage holes to stuctures or containers that may Personal Protection trap water (barrels, old tires) - Avoid being outdoors during prime mosquito biting - Change or circulate the water in pet bowls and times (dusk, dawn) birdbaths at least once a week - Use insect repellant containing DEET, Picaridin or Oil - Fill tree holes with sand, mortar or place drainage holes of lemon-eucalyptus [NOTE: DEET can be toxic to to prevent standing water companion animals, so should not be used on pets] - Clean roof gutters to prevent them from becoming - Keep windows, doors and porches tighly screened clogged and holding water - Properly dispose of all trash, especially anything that could hold water With any mosquito control product, always read and follow all label directions carefully Keep weeds and other vegetation mowed and trimmed to minimize shelter for adult mosquitoes It is a violation of state and federal law to use a pesticide in any manner that diff ers from the product label. Use only For areas with ponds, consider stocking mosquito- according to label directions to avoid environmental dam- eating sh age and animal or human injury. Control of mosquito larvae For More Information - The use of larvacides is a consideration, but should only be used as a supplemental measure Potter MF, Townsend L, Knapp FW. Mosquitoes: Practical advice for home - Use only larvicides approved for use in your area; Check owners. University of Kentucky Department of Entomology. http:// www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/misc/ef005.htm with your local extension o ce of department of pest management for a list of approved pesticides American Mosquito Control Association. Biological notes on mosquitoes. - Do not apply pesticides to moving water (i.e. streams) Available at: www.mosquitoes.org/LifeCycle.html - Always read and follow all label directions American Mosquito Control Association. Mosquito prevention and pro- - Non-chemical pesticides (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis tection. Available at: www.mosquito.org israelensis) may be an option • Methoprene products can be used to treat areas that collect water, such as bird baths, urns, old tires, ower pots, abandoned swimming pools, etc. www.cfsph.iastate.edu 102 © 2008 CFSPH.