Get Mosquito Smart

Prevent & Protect

How Can You Prevent These Mosquitoes From Breeding?

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  • Remove standing water from inside and outside your home.
  • Once a week, empty standing water from items in your house and yard, such as buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases. Scrub the sides to remove any mosquito eggs.
  • Keep your yard clean of containers and anything that can collect water. These mosquitoes have been found in the folds of tarps, plants that can hold water, and even small trash items, like a bottle or cup in your yard.
  • Check every container, after every rain.
  • Cover any buckets or rain barrels where you store water.
  • If you note a sudden increase in mosquitoes, you may spray your yard with insecticide but keep in mind most insecticides only kill adult mosquitoes, finding the water source has a longer term effect.
  • Use mosquito dunks or granules in items that collect water and are hard to clean (old fountains, bromeliads, etc.) Dunks are natural and safe for pets.
  • Check your neighbors' yards. Tell them to remove standing water to keep your neighborhood safe from mosquitoes.
  • If your neighbor is elderly or physically challenged, or even just out of town, offer to help!

Be a Leader in Your Community!

  • Organize a team to clean up that empty lot. Teach others how to clean up and recognize mosquitoes.
  • If you see standing water in your neighborhood, report it to your local public health or vector control agency.
  • If you notice a problem with mosquitoes in your area, call your public health or vector control agency to come inspect.

Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Home!

  • Use screens on all windows and doors. Repair holes in screens.
  • Do not leave doors propped open.
  • If you have air-conditioning, use it instead of opening windows and doors.
  • Empty standing water in your home such as in flower vases, aquariums and potted plants.
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Inspect attic vents.
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Remove saucers from under flower pots or inspect and scrub regularly.
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Inspect, cover, treat, or drain water storage and water harvesting containers.
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Inspect and close fireplace chimney.
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Inspect air-conditioner drain lines for standing water.
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Inspect, cover, treat, or drain water storage in containers.
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Fill holes in yard that collect water.
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Inspect, cover, treat, or drain water storage in containers.
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Inspect, cover, treat, or drain water.
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Inspect, cover, treat, or drain water.
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Replace water or inspect and scrub pet dishes regularly.
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Inspect, cover, treat, or drain non chlorinated pool water.
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Inspect, cover, treat, or drain water storage and water harvesting containers.
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Replace water or inspect and scrub pet dishes regularly.
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Remove debris from gutters.
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Use or repair window and door screens.
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Inspect door thresholds, Use door screens when open.
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Repair leaking water fixture.
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Move over or tap any red information circle to reveal a protection recommendation.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

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  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  • Use insect repellent. Always follow instructions on the label.
  • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.
  • Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness.
  • EPA-registered repellents are safe and effective, even for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding.
  • In the US, the EPA has not evaluated the effectiveness of commonly known insect repellents, such as citronella oil.
  • Treat your clothing and gear with permethrin according to the labeled instructions, or buy pre-treated items.

Protect Children from Mosquito Bites

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  • Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
  • Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
  • Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol on children younger than 3 years old.

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  • Spray insect repellent onto your hands first and then apply to a child's face.
  • Dress your child in clothes that cover their arms and legs.
  • Do not apply insect repellent onto a child's hands, eyes, mouth, cut, or irritated skin.

ver. 20161013

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