As the days start to heat up as summer nears, there is a buzzing sound in the air that few people like to hear.
For anyone that lives in a climate where the summer months are warm and humid, then you certainly know that buzzing sound whipping by your ear can mean mosquitoes.
These pesky flying insects can take a beautiful day and turn it into an annoying adventure if they end up wanting to share the same space as you and your family.
A mosquito bite makes a person itch, scratch and for those who have a higher sensitivity to them, can actually cause an allergic reaction.
There are a few ways to try and prevent mosquito bites, but not all environmental situations can be avoided.
One key factor in where mosquitoes like to live is whether or not there is water anywhere near by.
It was recently discovered though that minnows can actually reduce the number of mosquitoes that would normally make an area of water their home for the summer.
If your property has any standing water on it, this can be a cause for concern if you don't want to be bitten by mosquitoes.
However, this does not just apply to having a pond, lake or stream on or near your property.
A pot hole in your driveway that collects water when it rains or a plugged, other drainage issues, birdbaths, dripping outdoor faucets and fish ponds can all make nice homes for mosquitoes.
Some people have small outdoor aquariums or ponds that are part of their properties landscape that can be leading to a large mosquito population.
The first thing that you need to do if you have standing water on your property is to fix the problem or remove it in order to see the mosquito population go down.
Some property owners however are not willing to remove their landscaped fish ponds on their property and if this is the case, then minnows can actually help.
Minnows feed near the surface of the water that they are in and mosquitoes lay their eggs, also known as larvae on the water's surface.
Therefore, minnows eat the larvae and that cuts down on the number of new mosquitoes being born.
This technique is so effective that many municipalities across the United States are giving out minnows for free in order to cut down on the mosquito population.
In the event that you don't live in an area that gives away minnows for free, they can be picked up at your local bait shop for next to nothing.
By using minnows, you are making the outdoor environment around your home a safer and more comfortable place to be.
This minnow niche market is increasing in popularity as a main method of fighting mosquito infestations.