
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 31, 1990                   TAG: 9005310025
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Philip K. Blevins
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

IT'S TIME TO BATTLE MOSQUITOES

Considering the abundance of rain we've had, conditions are right for an abundance of mosquitoes. Because young mosquitoes develop in still water, we can reduce their numbers around the house significantly.

The female will lay her eggs in water trapped in metal cans, old tires, bird baths, clogged gutters, woodland pools, etc.

By draining these areas, thus eliminating the breeding ground, you can avoid having to deal with so many of the pesky insects this summer.

For areas you can't drain, chemicals are available to control mosquitoes. To avoid mosquito bites outdoors, repellents are effective.

\ I'm already getting calls about earwig problems. Earwigs are flat reddish-brown insects with a set of "pincers" in the rear. They can be found almost anywhere, except your ears.

They feed on insects, decayed plant materials and, unfortunately,live plant materials. They are active at night and are attracted to lights. Although you may find one inside they do not normally infest houses and they won't harm you.

To control earwigs, remove any unnecessary debris around the house, then spray the infected areas with insecticide.

by CNB