Assummerapproachesand mosquitos become more active the risk of mosquito-borne disease increases significantly.
Grants Code Enforcement Officer Robert Windhorst has been working with Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Sandoval for the past eight years to reduce the risks these insects bring. Dr. Sandoval’s company regularly fogs and treats areas that may become breeding grounds for mosquitos, including fogging areas that residents complain about. “I receive weekly reports from Dr. Sandoval.” Windhorst explained “If we have complaints from residents about mosquitos, I will give him the address area and he will usually fog that very evening.”
On the week of May 18th, Dr. Sandoval reportedly expressed his concerns about the aedes aegypti, commonly known as the yellow fever mosquito. This mosquito carries harmful diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fever has made its way to New Mexico.
Though mosquito-borne disease are harmful to everyone, the most susceptible people are those with weakened immune systems, typically children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Infections and worse symptoms can occur if the more susceptible come into contact with a disease carrying mosquito.
Mosquito Control Professionals
Mosquito control professionals use a variety of tools and procedures customized to each location to manage the mosquito population. Part of these strategies are environment friendly insecticides with minimal impact on other organisms and registered by the EPA. These professionals keep their practices safe for humans and the environments, following strict state and federal guidelines.
How to Reduce Growing Mosquito Population
There are many reasonable ways to prevent an increase in mosquitos in your yard. One of the things that attract mosquitoes the most is standing water. This could include water in buckets, bird baths, flower pots and more. When swimming pools are not in use, covering them would make a positive difference. Pipes or faucets that are leaking, even if it is a mere drip every so often, can eventually create a source of water that the mosquitos will go to.
Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned regularly, as, according to Windhorst “mosquitos can readily breed in these difficult to reach locations.”
Mosquitos may lay their larvae on the sides of your animals water bowls, eggs that can stay alive for well over a year. Therefore, it is recommended that you scrub their bowls weekly to prevent their catching a disease through ingestion.
Windhorst wrote “If residents have any complaints concerning mosquitos within the City of Grants, please feel free to contact me at my office and we will send the information to Dr. Sandoval.”