How to deal with mosquito problem?

 Hi:

We just bought and moved in a townhouse in Northern Virginia. A play
ground and many trees are around our house. We feel we live in a forest.
The play ground is not kept very clean. There are many unwanted-grass in
the "lawn".  We never realized the mosquito is a serious problem until a
couple of days before we moved in. We have a two-year old baby. We
thought the play ground would be a big plus for this house since it is
just outside of our place.

Now every day our baby gets at least four or five stints, sometimes up
to twenty. We always have to quickly open and shut the door. And we are
afraid to have any visitors in the evening. The news of West Niles virus
and other brain infection virus just make us nervous more.

We paid a big amount of money to buy this townhouse. Without mosqito
problem, this is a good buy and a good house really. But I feel so
regret now. I feel we bought wrong house. Do you have any suggestions? I
would greatly appreciate your help.

 

The biggest thing is to make sure that there is no standing water.  That's
where they breed, and if the water's moving, there are very few mosquitoes,
if any.  If the standing water is not on your property, you might look for
it.  It can be miles away too, so don't think it has to be in your back
yard.  Chances are, it's on city property.  Whether it is or isn't, you
probably want to call the city.  They will often be able to spray for the
mosquitoes.  It's a public health issue, especially with west nile virus
about.

No matter what happens, make sure that baby is protected with insect
repellent with DEET.  It's difficult to think about spraying chemicals on a
little baby, but it shouldn't hurt the baby, and it's better than west nile.
I am not a doctor though, so it's probably best that you ask the baby's
doctor before you do it.

 
Most mosquitoes don't travel far.  If you have a LOT of mosquitoes
then chances are the breeding ground is within 1/3 of a mile.

 

Insect repellent? There are DEET free ones (which don't work, IMO) and ones
with lower concentrates of DEET made for children.

JennP.

 

A couple of replies have already come in suggesting DEET.  If you are
considering using it, I suggest you read http://www.aap.org/family/wnv-jun03.htm
where AAP is the American Academy of Pediatrics.  It would also be good to check
with your own pediatrician.