Poorly sealed containers with water inside will attract mosquitos.
SAN DIEGO–Residents with rain barrels on their property can save money on their water bill. But residents are reminded to keep their barrels safe from mosquitos once the weather warms up.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water and if residents don’t mosquito-proof their rain barrel, they could be swimming in mosquito larvae, according to County of San Diego Vector Control.
County Vector Control inspectors say they have found rain barrels teeming with mosquitoes, some because they were poorly sealed, others because they were homemade barrels that didn’t have proper screening to keep bugs out.
San Diego county has dozens of mosquito species. Some are just annoying, but others can carry dangerous diseases. That includes our native Culex mosquitoes, which can transmit West Nile virus from infected birds to people. And invasive Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit Zika virus if they first bite an infected person.
Vector Control has some tips to help you make sure your rain barrel won’t become a mosquito farm. And, while you’re checking your rain barrel, also make sure to check inside and outside your home to find standing water where mosquitoes can breed and dump it out. That’s especially important in the case of the invasive Aedes mosquitoes, which are known for living and breeding very close to people: in backyards, even inside peoples’ homes.
The mesh on your screening should be same kind you can find on your window screens — to seal openings that could allow mosquitoes into your rain barrel.
Make sure your barrel’s lids and connectors are tight to keep out bugs (especially check openings where rain gutters flow into your barrel. You can also have a peek at these guys and mend your gutter to keep the bugs out).
Mosquito dunks are doughnut shaped or granular mosquito larvicides you can buy at retail outlets. They contain Bti, a bacteria that doesn’t hurt fish, people or pets, but when dropped in water sources, it kills mosquito larvae when they eat it.
Be sure to regularly inspect your rain barrel to get rid of any water that could pool up on the outside and create a place where mosquitoes can breed.
