{"id":22148,"date":"2018-05-04T09:10:35","date_gmt":"2018-05-04T13:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=22148"},"modified":"2018-05-03T17:01:04","modified_gmt":"2018-05-03T21:01:04","slug":"22148","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2018\/05\/04\/22148\/","title":{"rendered":"Effective Mosquito Control Starts at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Residents Encouraged to Take Steps to Reduce Mosquito Breeding Zones<\/em><\/h3>\n
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Credit: Edwin Remsberg<\/p><\/div>\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 As temperatures continue to rise, so will the number of mosquitoes throughout the state. The Maryland Department of Agriculture\u2019s mosquito control program urges residents to take measures on their own property to help reduce mosquito populations. Aside from being a nuisance, mosquitoes can carry harmful diseases like West Nile virus and Zika virus.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way to avoid mosquito-borne disease is to prevent mosquito bites, and the best way to avoid bites is to eliminate areas where\u00a0mosquitoes lay their eggs,\u201d said Secretary of Agriculture Joe Bartenfelder. \u201cThis time of year, it is important to survey our yards and eliminate any potential breeding sites.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maryland\u2019s most common nuisance mosquito is the\u00a0Aedes albopictus<\/em>\u00a0or Asian tiger mosquito. This invasive species is active during the day and can be particularly aggressive.\u00a0Aedes\u00a0<\/em>mosquitoes breed in containers of standing water rather than marshlands. Items like lawn furniture, corrugated drain pipes, flower pots, children\u2019s toys and a variety of common household items can quickly become mosquito breeding grounds. It is vital that all Marylanders survey their property and drain or eliminate anything where water can pool. Some tips include:<\/p>\n