Heavy, unmowed vegetation that hangs into the water along a lagoon's shoreline provides additional cover for mosquito larvae. It also serves to trap floating plant material, manure and trash that further enhances the habitat for mosquito breeding. Management practices that eliminate floating debris will discourage mosquito breeding. Efforts to do so are particularly critical from mid-July through late October when the transmission of encephalitis viruses is most likely. A well maintained grass groundcover is preferable to a mixed stand of broadleaf weeds.
Grasses are easier to maintain and less prone to hang into the water.
Tall fescue, bermuda, centipede and carpetgrass are examples of grasses that may be used to stabilize lagoon banks. Mow bank vegetation frequently. Weekly or biweekly mowing will eliminate rank growth and reduce the volume of clipped plant material left floating in the water after mowing. Clear floating debris from the lagoon surface regularly. TOC values that fall outside the range of 100 to 1,000 mg per liter are also effective, as are COD values of less than 400 mg per liter and greater than 2,000 mg per liter.