With local dengue fever cases at an all time high and the outbreak worsening, what else can we do to prevent mosquito breeding, apart from preventing the accumulation of stagnant water in and around our homes? Here are some things that many of us tend to overlook in our homes!
Using rubbish bins without lids
Since we throw away leftover food, cans and bottles, rubbish bins can easily be filled with small puddles of water. Make sure to use a bin that comes with a lid so that any water isn't constantly exposed to the surrounding. Even a small bottle cap filled with water is enough for mosquitoes to lay eggs! And of course, don't forget to take out your trash frequently as well.
Not capping bamboo pole holders
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If you're living in an older HDB, you'd know the bamboo pole holders that are meant to hang laundry outside your kitchen window. We easily overlook them, but they can collect water during rainy days! Get these bamboo pole covers to prevent any mosquitoes from making it their home.
Letting water sit in dish rack trays
We tend to do our dishes, put them away on our dish racks and then forget about them. That can become a mistake as water tends to accumulate there. Make sure to empty out your dish rack tray everyday, and it's also best to dry them completely with a cloth.
Using floral scented products
Guess who loves floral scents apart from humans? Mosquitoes. Turns out, they feed on nectar when they’re not sucking our blood. So by using floral scented products like candles, washing detergent or bath soap, you're more likely to attract mosquitoes! Try to opt for unscented products, or using peppermint and lemongrass oil for your home will help to ward them off.
Leaving toilet lids up
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The bathroom is one of the most common places where mosquitoes breed, given the amount of water present. So if you have a spare toilet that’s hardly used, one common blind spot would be the water in the toilet bowl. Make sure to keep the lid down so that no stagnant water is exposed to mosquitoes, and take the extra precaution to clean it frequently.
Not covering gully traps
Speaking of spare toilets that are rarely used, another common area we tend to overlook is the gully trap. Lift up its lid and you’ll see that there are areas where water can easily collect! Cover these gully traps, and if possible, replace them with non-perforated ones or install anti-mosquito valves.
Leaving pet water bowls in the open
Pet owners tend to leave water bowls in the open for their pet's convenience and easy access, but we might be attracting mosquitoes unknowingly. To avoid this, switch to a pet water fountain or self dispensing bowl instead. Or wash the bowls and replace their drinking water daily. This means your furkids get fresh water everyday too!
Overlooking plants axils
Leaf axils refer to the angle between the leaf and stem, and plants with large axils allow water to collect easily, which can go unnoticed. According to NEA, one of the top five mozzie breeding spots include plant axils, so do a little spot check to make sure that there aren’t any little pools of water collecting on your plants.