City seeks help controlling mosquitoes

The City of Graham will begin spraying for mosquitoes and needs local residents’ help to try and control the population.

The spraying only helps part of the problem because if the mosquitoes are able to seek safe haven in a resident’s yard away from public access where the city is spraying, they will not be in control. The City of Graham needs residents to help with the problem by doing a few simple chores around their property.

1. Limit Breeding Habitat - Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant or slow moving water, or on moist soil or leaf litter. To ensure this habitat is controlled keep garbage and recycling containers closed so as not to collect standing water, clean gutters and downspouts, keep pools clean and chlorinated, be sure that your yard has no standing puddles and dump anything that holds water twice per week and keep property free of items that can trap water like aluminum cans and tires.

2. Limit Adult Habitat - Adult mosquitoes rest during the day, usually on tall weeds or other vegetation. Make your yard less hospitable to mosquitoes by mowing your lawn regularly and keep weeds away from your homes foundation.

3. Avoid Exposure to Mosquitoes - Be sure window and door screens are 16-18 mesh and are free of holes or gaps, replace outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights (these are less attractive to insects), when outdoors apply a DEET-based insect repellent every 4-6 hours.

Treat clothing, sunshades and screen houses with a permethrin-based product such as Permanone, treat your yard building foundations and shrubs with an EPA approved product registered as effective against adult and larval mosquitoes and explore other repellent products such as citronella candles and mosquito coils. Residents can also where long sleeve clothing if outside especially around dusk or dawn.