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Mosquito Control

The City of Cookeville provides assistance to city residents who may have potential mosquito problems. Our program attempts to educate city residents on how mosquitoes breed and how people can help eliminate breeding places.  All mosquitoes must have water to develop. Most prefer slow-moving or stagnant water in which to lay their eggs. One tablespoon of water will breed over 200 mosquitoes. During warm weather, mosquitoes can complete their life cycle in 4 days. While there are dozens of mosquito control devices on the market today, the safest and most effective method still is:

DESTROY MOSQUITO BREEDING PLACES

        HOMEOWNER CHECK LIST OF MOSQUITO SOURCES
AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS:

• FISHPOND
  Stock with fish.  Remove excess vegetation.  Construct properly.  Remove if no longer wanted.

• SWIMMING POOL
  Keep chlorinated, if not in use tightly cover and keep rain water from accumulating on the cover, stock with fish if no longer to be used.

• SPAS & HOT TUBS
  Keep chlorinated, if not in use tightly cover and keep rain water from accumulating on the cover.

• BIRDBATH
  Change water frequently, at least once a week.

• CONTAINERS, BUCKETS, POTS, BARRELS, PANS, CANS, ETC.
  Empty, invert, punch drainage holes, dispose of, or cover to prevent mosquito entrance.

• BOAT
  Store small boats upside down, Cover large boats to prevent accumulation of water, keep drains open.

• CATCH BASINS & STORM DRAINS
  Do not dispose of liter or garden debris into these and never pour used motor oil or other materials into them.

• TIRES
  Store inside garage or shed, cover to prevent water from accumulating or dispose of them.

• CREEKS
  Do not dispose of litter or garden debris in creek, clean obstructions to promote flow, check unconnected side pools  -  fill, connect to flow, or stock with fish.

• TREE HOLES
  Drain, fill, remove limb or tree, or consult with the City's Forester at the Electric Department   -  526-7411.

• PLASTIC COVERS
  Prevent or remove accumulation of rain or sprinkler water on covers.

• BASEMENTS
  Keep dry, drain, correct leaky plumbing, dripping air conditioning or refrigeration, install a sump pump.

• RAIN GUTTERS
  Keep clean so that water does not stand.

A General Rule in Preventing the Production of Backyard Mosquitoes Is:

NO STANDING WATER     -    NO MOSQUITOES!

DEVICES TO HELP

Repellents are available in sprays, liquids, creams and sticks. The most effective repellents contain DEET, which will provide longer lasting protection. When applied to the skin, repellents can prevent insect bites for up to 2 or more hours. Read all labels for precautions.

The City provides briquettes of larvacide free of charge to city residents. They may be picked up at City Hall, 45 East Broad Street, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The City does not spray for adult mosquitoes.

Adult Control Products may be purchased from local stores that sell home pesticide control products.  There are several products on the market that will provide control for a short period of time.

 

WEST NILE VIRUS INFORMATION: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm