Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water around the home. Weeds, tall grass,
shrubbery and discarded tires also provide an outdoor home for adult mosquitoes
By eliminating places for mosquitoes to breed we can go a long way in preventing
West Nile Virus. This can be accomplished by eliminating standing water. Any
time is a good time to eliminate areas where mosquitoes breed. You can do this
by following some of the suggestions below:
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding
containers or turn them upside down.
- Remove all discarded tires. Tires are very significant mosquito breeding sites.
- Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring
and fall.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
- Cover boats or store them upside down when not in use.
- Change the water in birdbaths at least weekly.
- Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds.
- Treat ornamental ponds with biological larvicide's or stock with top feeding
minnows known as "mosquito fish"
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs.
- Drain water from pool covers.
- Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
- Mow your lawn regularly and cut down weeds next to the house and in the yard.