Mosquito control can be divided into two areas of responsibility: individual and public.
Individuals are responsible to find and eliminate breeding places on their premises. Receptacles
such as old tires, junk automobiles, tin cans, rain barrels, and various plants hold enough water
to create mosquito breeding. These can be reduced or eliminated by individuals. To keep
mosquitoes from being a problem inside the house, screens should be kept tight fitting and in
good repair.
Chemical control of mosquitoes around the home may be accomplished with the use of repellents
or space sprays ( Table 1 and Table 2). Repellents are substances that make a mosquito avoid
biting people. Several repellents which have been shown to be effective against mosquitoes are
diethyl toluamide (DEET), indalone, dimethyl phthalate, Rutgers 612, and 6-2-2 mixture (6
parts dimethyl phthalate, 2 parts indalone, and 2 parts Rutgers 612). All insect repellents must
have the active ingredient appear on the label. Check the label before buying to determine
whether the product contains these compounds.
The most widely used mosquito repellent is DEET. DEET is popular for individual protection
since it will repel mosquitoes as well as ticks, fleas, chiggers, sand flies, and black flies. It is
available in the form of a liquid, aerosol, lotion, and cream. When applied properly to the neck,
face, arms, ankles, and other exposed skin surfaces, most repellents will provide protection from
mosquito bites for 2 hours up to 12 hours. If desired, old clothing may be sprayed with repellent
to provide added protection. Care should be taken not to apply any repellent to eyes, lips, or
other mucous membranes.
Oil of citronella is another type of mosquito repellent for space repelling. Oil of citronella is the
active ingredient in many of the candles, torches, or coils which may be burned to produce a
smoke which repels mosquitoes. These smokes are useful outdoors only under windless
conditions. Their effectiveness is somewhat less than repellents applied to the body or clothing.
Space sprays may be used to kill mosquitoes present at the time of treatment. The major
advantage of space treatment is immediate knockdown, quick application, and relatively small
amounts of materials required for treatment. Space sprays are most effective indoors. Outdoors the
insecticide particles disperse rapidly and may not kill many mosquitoes.
The major disadvantage of space spraying is that it will not control insects for long periods of
time.
Mosquitoes can be killed inside the house by using a flit gun or a household aerosol space spray
containing synergized pyrethrum or synthetic pyrethroids (allethrin, resmethrin, etc.). Only
insecticides labeled for flying insect control should be sprayed into the air. Best results are
obtained if doors and windows are kept closed during spraying and for 5-10 minutes after
spraying. Follow label directions on the container.
Homeowners may use hand-held foggers or fogging attachments on tractors or lawn mowers for
temporary relief from flying mosquitoes. Pyrethrins or 5% malathion can be fogged outdoors.
Follow instructions on fogging attachments for application procedure.
Most of the mosquitoes that trouble homeowners and visitors cannot be eliminated through
individual efforts, but instead, must be controlled through an organized effort. Texas has
organized mosquito control organizations who specialize in area mosquito control. These control
measures include permanent and temporary measures. Permanent measures include impounding
water and ditching and draining swampy mosquito breeding areas. Temporary measures include
treating breeding areas to kill larvae and space spraying to kill adults. The City of Perryton has
one group and that is the City of Perryton Insect Control Department. It is made up of part time
personnel and shares a supervisor with the Parks Department.
Support the Perryton Insect Control Department in their control efforts. Organized control can
accomplish much more than individual efforts.
This page last updated on June 11, 1997
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