Tips for Home Mosquito Control

Mosquito Repellents

Reduce mosquito issues by remembering the "five Ds:"

• Dusk and Dawn — avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active.
• Dress — wear long, loose, light-colored clothing that covers the skin.
• DEET — use mosquito repellents that contain DEET. DEET is the most effective mosquito repellent
• Drainage — eliminate standing water around the home in places such as buckets, cans, old tires and plant containers.

Bug zappers kill many kinds of insects, including moths and beetles. Mosquitoes make up a very small percentage of the insects killed by bug zappers. Bug zappers do more harm than good.

Mosquito Control

The key to reducing mosquito populations is to deny them a place to breed. There are many things citizens can do to encourage reduced mosquito populations around their homes. These include:

• Remove trash and clutter. This includes discarded tires, buckets, tarps and any other items that could collect water. 
• Minimize and eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes require water to breed. Removing water-holding containers like bird baths, kiddie pools, and pet water dishes, or turning them upside down, as well as ensuring trash can lids fit tightly, helps prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Do not let water sit at bottom of flower pots or in holes or tree stumps. 
• Empty and change water. Keep water in containers that cannot be removed, such as bird baths and kiddie pools, fresh.
• Regularly clean gutters. Clogged drains and gutters can create backup that breeds mosquitoes.
• Repair screens on windows and doors. Make sure children know to keep screen doors closed to keep mosquitoes from entering buildings.
• Maintain lawns. Cut weeds, mow lawns and water carefully to prevent standing water.

Additional Information

• Mosquito Fact Sheet General-Mosquito-Fact-Sheet-version-4-3-10-2016
• Mosquito Control & Bite Prevention Flipbook.pdf
• For more information on mosquitoes and mosquito control, view the External Links page.

Frequently Asked Questions