Summer has arrived and the warmer weather means we’re using our sprinklers, pools and hot tubs, and refreshing our ponds. We love the water and so do bugs! It’s important to practice regular plumbing maintenance for bug and mosquito control around your home and property. Follow our simple tips for keeping your family and home safer from the threat that bugs and mosquitoes bring.
Plumbing Maintenance Tips to Help Control Bugs and Mosquitoes
Following a few simple plumbing maintenance tips will help reduce the risk that mosquitoes and other bugs pose to your loved ones.
- Check Your Sprinklers – Broken sprinkler heads or misdirected spray can lead to puddling and water collecting in unintended places
- Clear Your Yard of Debris – Those containers, pieces of plastic, tires and piles of grass clippings and leaves should be removed. Water from past rainy days and spray from your sprinklers easily collects in items left around the yard. This creates a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Clean up any items you no longer use and dispose of your yard waste on a regular basis.
- Clear Any Debris from the Sewer Drains – Build-up can occur, causing the drains to back up and develop standing water.
- Keep Your Gutters Clear – Periodically check your gutters and keep them clear of all debris or even bird’s nests.
- Water Pressure – Pressure that’s too high can cause your sprinklers to overshoot their target, creating standing water in places around the yard. Likewise, pressure that’s too light can lead to puddling around the sprinkler heads.
- Pond Maintenance – Stagnant pond water is a breeding ground for not only mosquitoes, but for bacteria and parasites as well. If using a pump for your pond, make sure it’s in good working order. If you are maintaining your pond without the use of a pump, be sure to replace between 10- 20% of the water every two weeks (take this from the bottom layer), clean out leaves and debris, and introduce varieties of both submerged and floating aquatic plants.
- Check Your Hose Bibs – Loose, cracked or broken bibs can lead to leaks, which can lead to standing water and a higher bill.
Standing and stagnant water pose a very real problem. Following these simple tips plumbing maintenance can help reduce the risk to you, your family and your pets. Fletcher’s Plumbing & Contracting, Inc. is always ready to help with all your plumbing needs. No job is too big or too small.
Contact us for help with your outdoor plumbing maintenance (530) 673-2489.