Is my tire pile a mosquito-breeding site?
Piles of tires piles provide suitable areas for mosquitoes to breed, including those who carry West Nile virus. When water accumulates in discarded tires, they become attractive sites for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
During the course of one season, just one tire can be a breeding site for thousands of mosquitoes. Transporting tires infested with mosquito eggs, larvae, or pupae increases the risk of spreading mosquito populations.
How can I prevent mosquitoes from breeding?
If there is a tire pile on your property, make sure that it does not create a nuisance. There are many ways to avoid mosquito breeding in tire piles.
Dispose of standing water in the tires. You can do this by properly storing tires under a tarp. Make sure that rainwater does not accumulate.
If you cannot get rid of all the areas where mosquitoes can breed, larvicide is the most effective control technique. Several larvicides are well suited, including:
- Bacillus sphaericus,
- B. thuringiensis israelensis (B.t.i.),
- Temephos,
- Growth regulators,
- Oils and monomolecular films.
Only certified pesticide applicators can apply these larvicides. An applicator can help you choose the best product for your situation and determine what type of control activities to conduct.
EPA - Pesticides and Mosquito Control (link)