WILLIAMSBURG--The City of Williamsburg Mosquito Control Program is working to reduce the number of mosquitoes from June through September.
Their program includes fogging/spraying the entire City from public streets every Wednesday around dusk, on-site yard inspections, eliminating breeding sites such as standing water and using a low-toxicity pesticide to reduce larvae when removing standing water is not feasible.
The City uses a sustained release mosquito growth regulator larvacide called Altosid to prevent adult mosquito emergence. Altosid is used in storm drains, catch basins, roadside ditches, and standing water that have potential to breed mosquitoes. For weekly spraying during the months of June-September they use an adultcide called Anvil.
Top ten ways you can reduce the number of mosquito breeding habitats in around your home.
1. Throw away old bottles, cans, and plastic containers from your yard.
2. Clean leaf-filled gutters to allow proper drainage.
3. Turn buckets, baby pools, boats and other outside containers upside down when they are not in use.
4. Change the water in birdbaths, ornamental ponds and fountains at least once a week.
5. Screen or cover rain barrels, garbage cans and other large containers.
6. Make sure your backyard pool is properly cared for while on vacation.
7. Properly dispose of old and used tires.
8. Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house so adult mosquitoes will not have a place to hide.
9. Repair leaky water faucets, water hoses and air conditioners.
10. Fill in or drain any low places (puddles, ruts) in yard.
If you have a mosquito concern or question you can call 757-220-6140.