Information on Mosquito Control
Reducing mosquito breeding sites at home
The most effective method of controlling mosquito populations is targeting the larval stage and the sites where they can develop. Once mosquitoes become flying adults, control is more difficult and expensive.
- Eliminate artificial water-holding containers. If that is not possible, empty buckets, cans, bottles, used tires and other containers at least once a week.
- Clean birdbaths and water bowls for animals at least once a week.
- Fill or drain tree holes, stumps and puddles.
- Irrigate gardens and lawns carefully to prevent water standing for more than a few days.
- Check for water trapped in plastic covers on boats and swimming pools.
- Make sure rain gutters are clean and do not hold water.
- Stock garden ponds with mosquito-eating fish, such as minnows and goldfish.
- Aerate ponds and swimming pools.
- Eliminate aquatic vegetation around the edges of garden ponds, which allow predatory fish and beneficial predatory insects to reach the mosquito larvae.
- When feasible, raise and lower the water level to allow predatory fish to reach the mosquito larvae.
For additional information, please refer to the links listed to the right.
