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Mosquitoes

Best Practices to Prevent Mosquito Breeding

  1. Clean your gutters so that water runs freely
  2. Repair screens and windows to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
  3. Dispose of old tires, which can breed thousands of mosquitoes.
  4. Tip/empty outdoor containers that hold water - e.g. pots, buckets, children's toys.
  5. Change water in outdoor pet bowls and bird baths weekly.
  6. Cover unused swimming pools and cement ponds.

Protect Yourself / Your Family From Mosquito Bites

  • Use appropriate chemical repellents. Those containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of lemon eucalyptus work best.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pant and treating clothing and gear
  • Check your property for areas of standing water which may invite mosquito breeding and remove them where applicable/possible
  • Avoid
    • The outdoors in the evening and early morning hours when mosquitoes are most active.
    • Shaded, humid areas with little or no breeze
    • Tall grasses and weeds.

Eliminate Breeding Sites

Potential Breeding Sites Examples Solution
Swimming Pools Abandoned Properly fill or tear down.
Active Maintain sanitizers and filters
Wading/children Empty after each use and store upside down
Containers Old tires, pet bowls, buckets, flower pot saucers, bottles, cans, tire swings, garbage cans/lids, rain barrels/basins Keep empty, remove or cover
Any area where water can collect in a stagnant situation Ditches Clear debris and keep drained.
Low areas/ruts Fill with dirt and reseed.
Bird baths Empty frequently.
Fountains Maintain water circulation
Ornamental water garden Stock with mosquito-eating fish
Ponds, creeks, lakes Minimize plant growth and maintain water circulation
Boats Store covered or upside down.
Leaking water spigots Repair leaks, maintain spigots.
Clogged gutters Clean and maintain regularly
Tree rot holes, hollow stumps Fill hole or remove tree/stump.
Catch basins Use mosquito dunks.

 

Additional Information

For more information on preventing mosquito bites and mosquito virus activity in our state, please visit the following web pages:

Resources

To view updates on mosquitoes and EEE in New England, please click on the web resources below:

https://portal.ct.gov/mosquito

State of CT Mosquito-Testing Web Page