Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Zones To Keep Population Down

The Tennessee Department of Health announced mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been found near Nashville.

While the virus hasn’t been found in the Upper Cumberland, it’s still a good idea to eliminate mosquito areas around your home. Putnam County Extension Agent Wayne Key said it’s all about disrupting the cycle.

“The biggest thing with mosquitoes is control in the home and around the yard. By doing some kind of a control method disrupts that reproductive cycle, the breeding cycle and by doing that you eliminate the possibility of eggs hatching,” Key said.

The mosquito breeding cycle involves standing water, he said.

“Try to eliminate any type of mosquito shelters in your yard, things that contain water like bird baths or old spare tires or anything laying around the yard, anything water can collect in that they’ll use as an egg-laying site and that’s where they lay their eggs,” Key said.

Key also recommended keeping grass mowed to three inches and trimming shrubs.