An IPM program seeks to control pests with a variety of non-toxic remedies that often attack the target at a multiple points in its life cycle. This is our recommend program for mosquito control.

1. Prevention. Mosquitoes can breed in nearly any body of standing water, regardless of size. Homeowners should prep their property by emptying any standing water such as: puddles, buckets, old tires, empty flower pots, etc... Larger or permanent water features such as fountains or garden ponds can be protected with such non-toxic remedies as Mosquito Dunks that target larva, or sprays that break the surface tension of the water, causing adult females to drown when they land to lay eggs. Such bodies can also be populated by "Mosquito Fish" (a guppie species) that feed on mosquito larva. These fish are often available for free from local Mosquito Abatement Districts.

2. Control. Controlling the adult population is also key, since they are the ones that bite. Control measures can include mosquito specific non-toxic traps, propane fueled traps, and our friends the bats. Some species of insectivorous birds can be helpful too. The benefit of predators over traps is that they actively seek out and kill mosquitoes, while other methods actually attract them.

3. Protection. Prevention at the point of attack is the best way to prevent mosquito bites. People with concerns about mosquitoes can use sprays containing repellants such as DEET, although we would recommend a more naturals based repellant such as cedar oil. For those that don't want to spray themselves, or for a group of people, citronella candles and insect incense coils are also effective.