The Infamous Mosquito Breeding Ground Sitting In Your Driveway Or Yard Right Now

Mosquitoes in the yard are a nuisance and a potential health hazard. When you have excessive mosquito activity around your home, it can keep you from spending time outdoors and enjoying pleasant evenings on the patio. Although there are sprays and other repellents to keep the bugs away, the best way to really get rid of mosquitoes is by disrupting their breeding grounds. Unfortunately, you may be accidentally providing a place for them to thrive. An infamous mosquito breeding ground that could be sitting in your driveway or yard right now is an old tire.

One of the mistakes that attracts mosquitoes to your yard is leaving puddles of standing water. Mosquito larvae need water, and sources of standing water are like nurseries to them. Old tires sitting in the yard collect rainwater over time. As the water inside the tire stagnates, it may attract mosquitoes. Removing the areas where water gets stored prevents the pests from breeding on your property and helps protect your family from disease.

Mosquitoes often live in tall grass, forests, and near natural water sources, such as ponds, depending on the type. However, all mosquitoes require water for breeding. Female mosquitoes find a place to breed inside old tires on properties. In addition to providing a source of stagnant water for them to lay their eggs, the rubber material insulates the eggs and protects them. Additionally, when discarded tires are left to sit outside for a long time, grass and plants will start growing around them. Decaying plant material provides a food source for baby mosquitoes. Therefore, tires with plants around them, combined with the standing water, can become the ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. One they wouldn't want to leave.

Another major reason to get rid of these mosquito breeding grounds is the risk of diseases that the insects can pass along to humans when they bite. Mosquito-borne diseases include eastern equine and St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, dengue fever, Zika virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever. Even your furry friends are at risk of contracting diseases spread by these insects, especially dogs and horses. Even if they don't get sick, at the very least, the mosquito bites can irritate your pets, causing them discomfort. 

Before you reach for the insect repellent or call an exterminator to treat the yard, look for things that may be attracting the pests. Removing sources of standing water is an important step to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard, according to experts. Dispose of old tires properly and avoid leaving them outside. If you cannot store the tires inside a garage or shed, you can cut up the tires, so they will not be able to hold water until you can get rid of them.

In addition to dealing with old tires, check your yard for other sources of standing water. Common culprits include buckets, old planters, toys, tree stumps, birdbaths, trash cans, and pool covers. Empty the water from any containers and clean and remove the items to prevent water from collecting in them again.

After you've removed the old tires and other sources of standing water from your yard, inspect your property for other factors that may be attracting mosquitoes. Have your gutters cleaned regularly and remove piles of old firewood, leaves, plant material, and other debris to make your property less attractive to these pests. If you continue to have a mosquito problem, try some simple DIY mosquito traps and repellents to get rid of them.