Mosquitoes are notorious in spreading deadly diseases including Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. Dengue cases typically peak between May to October in Singapore. This is because mosquitoes thrive, reproduce and multiply faster in warmer temperatures and climates. Mosquitoes are known to breed in stagnant water, so it is important to identify and recognise potential breeding spots around your home to guard against the harmful diseases they bring.
In this article, Bingo Pest shares some common mosquito breeding spots at home and the steps you can take to get rid of them.
Flower Pots, Vases and Plant Saucers
Standing water in flower pots, vases and plant saucers are probably the most common places where mosquito breeding can be found. These places are often neglected since they do not collect a huge amount of water. However, did you know that mosquitoes can lay their eggs in small quantities of standing water? In fact, mosquitoes can breed in as little as half an inch of water!
Therefore, it is essential to empty the saucers of excess water after watering the plants. In addition, change the water in vases as regular as within 2 to 3 days and wash them thoroughly to get rid of any possible traces of mosquito eggs or larvae.
Gutters
Gutters are designed to collect and channel rainwater away from the roof of a property. Poorly maintained gutters can result in clogs caused by debris, twigs and leaves. Clogged gutters can accumulate water and provide an ideal breeding and hiding spot for mosquitoes without you even realising!
Offering such optimal conditions for mosquitoes to breed puts you at risk and exposure to the diseases they bring. Hence, one of the best ways to keep mosquitoes away from your home is to establish proper and regular cleaning or maintenance for the gutters. Additionally, installing gutter guards or screens not only keep out debris, but also prevent mosquitoes from accessing the gutter to breed and rest.
Pails and Rain Barriers
Containers used for collecting rainwater can also become a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. According to a study conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), plastic pails and containers are most attractive to mosquitoes to breed. Therefore, it is important to conduct regular checks and overturn unused containers to prevent the collection of water, which can in turn, become favourable sites for mosquitoes to breed.
Pools
Abandoned, neglected and poorly maintained pools and ponds are huge magnets to mosquitoes. It is critical to treat the pools frequently with the appropriate chemicals while ensuring a safe level of chemical is used. For example, a pool treated with Chlorine is less attractive to mosquitoes as compared to those that are not. Furthermore, regular pool maintenance practices including the use of pumps and a filtration system can also maintain a healthy and functional swimming pool. This helps to prevent possibilities of standing water and hence, reduce the risk of mosquitoes breeding.
Pet Water Bowls
Leaving your pet’s water bowls out and unchecked can attract mosquitoes to lay their eggs and breed. When pet bowls are left outdoors and contain stagnant water, they become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. To prevent mosquitoes from being attracted to breeding in pet bowls, it is important to empty and clean them regularly. Ideally, pet bowls should be emptied and refilled with fresh water at least once a day. In addition, it is also advisable to scrub and wash pet bowls with a brush or sponge to get rid of any mosquito eggs or larvae that may have been laid in the water.
Trash Cans and Bins
Trash cans and rubbish bins can attract mosquitoes indirectly. If a trash can has a lid that does not fit tightly, it can collect rainwater and become a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. Moreover, trash cans with discarded food items can produce odour that can attract mosquitoes and other pests including ants, cockroaches and flies.
To prevent mosquitoes breeding, it is essential to follow proper trash management practices including keeping the lids of trash cans sealed and closed, emptying them regularly, and cleaning them frequently to remove any food residue or standing water. It is also important to check the surroundings of the trash cans to prevent water from accumulating around them.
Toilet Bowls
Toilet bowls are unlikely to attract mosquitoes when used regularly. This is because mosquitoes prefer to breed in standing water and the flushing activity prevents mosquitoes. However, when a toilet is left unused for an extensive period of time, it could provide a favourable environment for mosquitoes to breed. This is more likely to occur in vacant or unoccupied buildings and homes.
To inhibit mosquitoes breeding and growth in unused toilet bowls, it is critical to keep the lid down so that water is inaccessible to the mosquitoes. Additionally, fixing plumbing issues such as leaks and drips can also prevent water from accumulating in the toilet, which may become potential breeding spots for mosquitoes. Besides, moisture can also promote pest activities and encourage pests including termites, rodents, booklice, cockroaches and ants to thrive. In conclusion, proper sanitation and maintenance are key factors to preventing mosquitoes breeding and pest infestations in toilets.
Drains and Floor Traps
Drains and floor traps are designed to channel away excess water, hence preventing water from pooling. However, if floor traps and drains are not properly maintained or used, they could potentially result in mosquito breeding. For example, floor traps and drains that are choked or blocked with debris can accumulate water and encourage mosquitoes to lay their eggs and breed. Therefore, it is essential to conduct regular checks and cleaning to remove debris and organic matter in the floor traps and drains to reduce blockages. Moreover, reducing organic matter in drains, pipes and floor traps can also help to minimise pests such as flies and cockroaches from harbouring.
In addition to proper maintenance, practising good mosquito control measures such as eliminating standing water around your home and keeping surroundings of floor traps clean, can also aid to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Mosquito Control and Management Programme by Bingo Pest
Besides taking proactive measures to reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes and making your home less favourable to them, it is also critical to establish a mosquito control plan to eliminate the presence of adult mosquitoes at home. Moreover, having a holistic and integrated mosquito management programme can help you to safeguard against the dangerous diseases that mosquitoes bring.
At Bingo Pest, our pest specialists are highly-trained to conduct thorough inspections of your premise to reduce mosquito breeding spots. In addition, we adopt various environmentally-friendly, innovative and safe treatment methods to get rid of mosquitoes and the root sources of a mosquito infestation in your property. Learn more about our mosquito control and prevention plan today. Speak to our professional mosquito control specialists to discuss your mosquito management needs today. Call us at 6517 9989.
