Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still water, which will hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place, eliminating the need to use pesticides against adult mosquitoes. This also reduces the number of mosquitoes around the house.

Here are some things you can do:

• Check for items that might hold water including wheelbarrows, tires, hubcaps, toys, garden equipment, pool covers, tarps, plastic sheeting, pipes, drains, boats, canoes, recycling bins and trash.
• Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, clogged rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, jars and cans.
• Completely change water in birdbaths and wading pools weekly.
• Drill drainage holes in tire swings.
• Stock ornamental ponds and fountains with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
• Avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors at dawn and dusk when they are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors.
• Apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Follow directions carefully.
• Install or repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out.

Stop Mosquitoes Where They Live and Breed

Mosquitoes rest in tall grass, weeds, and brush near inhabited locations such as homes and other buildings. Learning where mosquitoes live and breed can help you prevent them from multiplying. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant, standing fresh water oftentimes found around the home.

• In tin cans, buckets, discarded tires and other artificial containers that hold stagnant water.
• In untended pools, birdbaths, clogged rain gutters, and plastic wading pools that hold stagnant water.
• In storm drains and catch basins in urban areas.
• In septic seepage and other foul water sources above or below ground level.
• In agricultural irrigation.

Whenever water stands for four to seven days, mosquitoes can multiply. Eliminating even small amounts of standing water eliminates mosquitoes.

• Dispose of empty cans, buckets, flowerpots, old tires, trash cans, etc.
• Clear clogged roof gutters.
• Change water in bird baths and fountains at least once a week.
• Flush sump pump pits weekly.
• Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
• Drain swimming pool covers.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
• Use landscaping to eliminate stagnant water that collects on your property.
• Clip tall grass or weeds standing near the house or where people use the yard. Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds.