The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to find and eliminate their breeding sites. Eliminating large breeding areas such as swamps or sluggishly moving streams or ditches may require community-wide efforts. Permanent source reduction measures may include impounding water and ditching, and draining swampy mosquito breeding areas. These methods are often very costly and difficult to permit.

Homeowners, however, can take the following steps to prevent mosquito breeding on their own property:

1. Destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water. Do not allow water to accumulate at the base of flower pots or in pet dishes for more than 2 days.

2. Clean debris from rain gutters and remove any standing water under or around structures, or on flat roofs. Check around faucets and air conditioner units and repair leaks or puddles that remain for several days.

3. Change water in bird baths and wading pools at least once a week and stock ornamental pools with top feeding predacious minnows known as mosquitofish.

4. Remove, drain or fill tree holes and stumps with mortar.

5. Eliminate seepage from cisterns, cesspools, and septic tanks.

6. Eliminate standing water around animal watering troughs.

7. Irrigate lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days.

8. Cut down weeds adjacent to home and in yards, and mow the lawn regularly.