How do you stop mosquitoes from invading rain barrels?
Q: I’ve been saving water in our “green” poly trash can. I suspect we have about 40 gallons worth. Now, I have mosquitoes. What can you suggest?
Darrell Kaff, Roseville
Mosquitoes tend to gravitate to any standing water, no matter how small. And now is the time of year when mosquitoes come out of hibernation and start breeding. But there are ways to save water and help prevent mosquitoes, too.
“Given the drought, saving water is certainly a good idea — if done properly,” said Luz Rodriguez of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. “However, it becomes imperative that homeowners take the proper precautions to ensure they are not producing mosquitoes. In hot weather, mosquitoes can go from an egg to an adult in as little as 7 to 10 days, posing a health threat for diseases such as West Nile virus.”
The district offered these tips that can help prevent mosquitoes if you are saving water:
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Submit your question for The Sacramento Bee’s water team.
This story was originally published March 27, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "How do you stop mosquitoes from invading rain barrels?."