JEFFERSON CO., N.Y. — Because of the recent cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Jefferson County, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County reminds gardeners to protect their rain barrels from mosquito infestation. As with any source of standing water like bird baths, kiddie pools, and tires, rain barrels are attractive to mosquitoes.
Rain barrels can be treated with a biological pesticide, Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, which controls the aquatic mosquito larvae. Also known as ‘mosquito dunks’, this product can be purchased at any hardware store and is available in ‘cakes’ or granules. This product is ONLY for use in enclosed aquatic containers that do not contain fish. It should never be used in natural water bodies.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County
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