Ozark Living

OZARK LIVING • APRIL 2018 • 25 Special to Ozark Living Homeowners can employ several measures to prevent mosquitoes from invading their backyards this spring and summer. Time spent in the backyard on spring and summer a ernoons and evenings contributes heavily to the popularity of these times of year. Many homeowners go to great lengths to make their outdoor living spaces as luxurious as possible, only to be bothered by uninvited and bothersome guests: mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are not just pesky nuisances, but they're also harmful. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, more than one million people across the globe die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Such diseases include malaria, dengue, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and the Zika virus. e AMCA notes that many of the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes can be linked to travel to endemic areas. But mosquitoes in North America can still be harmful, and bites may result in severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to mosquito saliva. Homeowners can employ several measures to prevent mosquitoes from invading their backyards this spring and summer. • Remove standing water. Stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, so homeowners must be diligent in their eff orts to remove standing water around their properties. Mosquitoes can breed in bird baths, pets' water bowls and empty plant pots that collect rain water. Routinely tipping these items and refi lling them with fresh water can prevent mosquito infestations, protecting both humans and pets alike. • Inspect property for hidden pockets of water. While bird baths, pet bowls and puddles are easy to fi nd, homeowners may be unknowingly hosting mosquito breeding grounds elsewhere on their properties. For example, tarps used to cover pools, automobiles or grills that are not tightly secured can fold up, creating pockets where rain water can collect and give mosquitoes somewhere to breed. Mosquitoes also may use gutters to breed, so homeowners should routinely inspect and clean their gutters during spring and summer. • Keep a well-manicured lawn. Well-manicured lawns are less likely to be breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Because water plays such a crucial role in the mosquito breeding process, it's necessary that all potential water sources in a yard be removed. Fallen leaves that are not removed and pockets of soil beneath trees and plants can collect rain water or water from lawn sprinklers, which can be just enough for mosquitoes to breed. • Use fans. Consumer Reports tested the effi cacy of oscillating pedestal fans to keep mosquitoes from invading decks and patios and found that such fans cut mosquito landings by 45 to 65 percent for those sitting closest to the fans. When hosting backyard barbecues, homeowners can set up several such fans on their decks and patios to keep mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes are unwelcome guests come spring and summer. But homeowners can take steps to increase the likelihood that their properties stay mosquito-free. Disinfectant levels Maintaining a satisfactory level of disinfectant will help prevent the multiplication of bacteria and algae in the pool. Many pools are kept clean through the use of chlorine products. e ratio of chlorine to water needed to maintain the clarity of the water depends on the size of the pool, the sanitizer used, weather, sunlight and evaporation, and the pH. In many instances, the available free chlorine in a pool when tested should be between 3 and 4 ppm to off er adequate sanitation. Frequent testing will help pool owners gauge how well the pool water is holding chlorine and how to compensate if extra is needed. Brushing/vacuuming Nearly every pool owner has had to deal with algae at some point in his or her life. One of the best ways to minimize algae spores in the pool besides high-sanitation levels is through routine brushing and vacuuming. According to Leslie's Pool Supplies, pool walls, fl oors and steps are the most common places to fi nd algae in a pool. If le untreated, algae can burrow their roots inside the cracks on these surfaces, making them very diffi cult to remove. at's why weekly (or more frequent) brushing and vacuuming can help keep surfaces clean and algae-free. Vacuuming also helps remove debris that has fallen into the water and sunk, which can decompose and contribute to water cloudiness. Maintain pH Maintaining the proper chemical balance of pool water will help keep it clean and protect system components from damage. e pH level of pool water measures its acidity or alkalinity. e pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6 for best results. Latham Pool Products says water that is too acidic can cause eye and skin irritation and damage liners or equipment with corrosion. High pH may cause cloudy water and make chlorine less active. Again, frequent testing helps pool owners understand their water chemistry better and make adjustments. Filtration For cleanliness, water circulation and fi ltration is essential. is helps spread the chemicals to all areas of the pool and also helps to remove debris. Filters come in diff erent types, including sand, diatomaceous earth, or DE, and cartridge. Each has its pros and cons. How long to run the fi lter depends on water temperature, gallons of water in the pool and the estimated water turnover rate of the fi lter. Pool owners can start with longer fi lter run times and gradually cut down until they fi nd the right rate based on water appearance, according to popular pool forum Trouble Free Pools. Pools can be great places to spend warm, sunny days. With care, pools can remain clean and clear throughout warm weather seasons. How to banish mosquitoes from your yard

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