Come Monsoons and we are residents asking for fogging from all sides. “Please get fogging done” is a common message in our community groups. But does fogging really help the core issue? Does it kill larvae & pupae?
Fogging only provides temporary solution and excessive fogging can pollute the atmosphere and even harm humans let alone other species living in our community.
The machine lets out a mixture of diesel and insecticide to eliminate mosquitoes. It kills adult mosquitoes and gives temporary relief but the breeding source is not affected.
A fellow editor in Malibu Towne shared how excessive fogging was killing their squirrels. “Every time we would do fogging for mosquitoes, we would find squirrels dead the following days. We would then bury those poor things” she said.
Instead of getting too many rounds of fogging we as residents can follow a few steps to avoid mosquitoes breeding around our houses.
1) Tightly cover water storage containers
2) Make sure water tanks have NO cracks or gaps
3) Cover open plumbing pipes or open vents
4) Get rid of standing water outside your house.
5) Use Natural Eco-friendly products like burning neem leaves, and coconut shells to repel mosquitoes.
6) Keeping the surroundings clean & improving basic sanitation measures.
7) Do not dump garbage in the open
8.) Cleaning weeds and tall grass to reduce available rest places for adult mosquitoes.
There are more ways of creating an environment for mosquito predators like dragonflies in our community that we residents should explore for the mosquito problem. Let us all join hands and eliminate breeding places for mosquitoes!
