After rainfall, check the front and backyard and drain any receptacles that can hold water, such as buckets, flowerpots, toys, bird baths, old tires and other small containers. Clean all gutters and downspouts, as leaves, twigs, seeds and other organic matter can block water flow, leading to standing water. Almost no amount of water is too small for mosquito breeding. Some newer, invasive species - like the tiny black mosquito Aedes aegypti - need only a bottle cap worth of water to develop. Your efforts to eliminate sources of standing water now will mean less mosquitoes later in the season.
Mosquitoes are a public health threat because they are capable of transmitting debilitating diseases such as West Nile Virus, Zika, dengue and chikungunya. Protect yourself from mosquitoes by wearing an effective repellent and staying indoors when they are most active.
To learn more about mosquitoes and their management, visit these resources:
- Pest Notes: Mosquitoes fact sheet
- Mosquitoes and Ticks of Public Health Concern (webinar)
- Mosquito Management for Ponds, Fountains, and Water Gardens
- Invasive Pest Spotlight: Aedes Mosquitoes
- Invasive Pest Spotlight: West Nile Virus
Contact your local mosquito and vector control program to inquire about their services and how you can help reduce mosquito populations in your area.