How To Prevent Mosquito Breeding

Often, the most effective way to protect your family from being infected by disease-carrying mosquitoes is to get rid of them before they appear. Follow these tips on how to prevent mosquito breeding around your home:

• Do not allow standing water to accumulate for more than two days. Common areas to check: old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools, the base of a flower pot, pet dishes, plastic covers or any container that may collect water.
  
  
• Change the water in birdbaths, fountains and wading pools at least once a week.
  
  
• Clean debris from rain gutters and remove standing water under or around structures.
  
  
• If you have a flat roof, check for standing water several days after a rain.
  
  
• Check rain barrels for mosquito larvae. A tight cover will prevent egg laying. A thin layer of oil will kill mosquitoes already present.
  
  
• Repair leaks or clear away puddles from around faucets and window air conditioning units.
  
  
• Stock ornamental pools with minnows or goldfish (they eat mosquito larvae on the water surface) or treat the pools with biological larvicides (chemicals or natural bacteria that can be used to kill mosquito larvae).
  
  
• Be sure to keep swimming pools, saunas and hot tubs clean and chlorinated. If not in use, keep empty and covered.
  
  
• Empty accumulated water from boats and cargo trailers.
  
  
• Fill or drain large puddles, ditches and swampy areas.
  
  
• Remove, drain or fill tree holes and stumps with mortar.
  
  
• Keep hedges and bushes trimmed to reduce shade.
  
  
• Mow the lawn at least once a week. Mosquitoes can hide in the shade of tall grass.
  
  
• Make sure windows, doors and porches are tightly screened and are free of holes.