Welcome to Moulton Ranch III

This time of year brings a lot of mosquito activity in the area which typically subsides in December. A large portion of mosquitoes are produced in residential backyards in small breeding sources. Any water-holding container, even as small as a bottle cap, can produce mosquitoes. Only female mosquitoes are capable of biting and can transmit diseases to humans and animals through their bite.

The most common mosquitoes in Orange County are the Culex (“Southern House Mosquito”) and the Aedes (“Asian Tiger Mosquito”). The Culex prefers to breed in large backyard water sources such as gutters, ponds and green pools. The adults are active during dusk and dawn. Though they prefer to feed on birds, they will also feed on humans and can transmit West Nile virus and encephalitis. The Aedes prefers to breed in smaller water sources, such as plant saucers, plants, tires and buckets. They like to feed during the daytime and are also called “Ankle Biters” to indicate the part of the body they prefer. They can transmit dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and dog heartworm.

Common mosquito breeding sources that you may have around your property include the following:

– Children’s toys, wheelbarrows and other items left outside that could hold water

– Water holding plants and plant saucers

– Rain barrels

– Green pools, ornamental ponds and bird baths

Below are some tips to mosquito-proof your home:

– Dump and drain any unnecessary items that could hold water around your home and property

– Cover empty containers with a lid or turn upside down to prevent water from accumulating

– After dumping water, clean and scrub bird baths, pots and pet bowls weekly

– Drill a hole or puncture potted plants to eliminate standing water

– Check that gutters are not holding water and cover rain barrels with tight screening so that mosquitoes cannot enter

If you believe there may be a mosquito breeding source on or near your property, you can contact Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control at 714-971-2421, who will dispatch an officer to identify and breeding sources. They will provide free mosquitofish if there is a body of water that is identified as a breeding source.

Below is a link to Orange County Vector Control’s helpful “Do It Yourself” tips to get mosquitoes under control at your property:

https://www.ocvector.org/do-it-yourself-solutions-for-mosquito-issues

Proposed changes to the Architectural Guidelines regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs), in addition to proposed changes to the Enforcement and Fine Policy, were recently distributed to the membership for review and comment. No comments were received and the Board of Directors adopted the proposed revisions to the Architectural Guidelines and Enforcement and Fine Policy as presented.

The updated documents can be viewed at any time on the Resident Portal at resident.actionlife.com.

The gazebo and barbecue island have been repainted in a fresh, updated color scheme, bringing a refreshed look to the park. All park benches and tables have been replaced with new pieces from the Sitescapes Avondale collection. Later this month, the barbecues will be replaced with new covered models.

Additionally, as of August, Personal Touch Cleaning and Maintenance has been providing weekly janitorial services at the park. This ensures the park remains clean, sanitary, and enjoyable for all residents.

We hope you enjoy these upgrades and look forward to seeing the community benefit from these enhancements!

Residents may have noticed that some of the newly installed plants at the community entrances are being nibbled on or have disappeared altogether. Interestingly, this activity appears to occur primarily when the plants are new; once they become established, the animals seem to leave them alone.

This was not an issue during the original installation earlier this year in the winter, and it is suspected that the current timing plays a role, as many critters are actively seeking food and water during the warmer months.

The Board and landscape vendor will continue to monitor the entrances over the next couple of months. When the animal activity subsides and the conditions are more favorable, the plants will be replanted and given time to establish.

We appreciate your patience as we work to maintain the community’s landscaping and ensure the entrances continue to look their best.