Environmental & Extension Services Department - Pest Management Division

Mosquito Control At Home

You may be asking, what can we the citizens do to help with mosquito control? Well, we all have to work together to reduce the sites where mosquitoes can breed. By eliminating breeding sites around your house and property, you can help keep down the local mosquito population. Remember, some species of mosquitoes can breed in as little as ½ inch of standing water! Here is a list of places to look for around your property: mosquito

  • Remove old tires or drill holes in those used for playground equipment to allow them to drain.
  • Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water in pockets.
  • Replace water in birdbaths at least once a week.
  • Dispose of broken or unused kiddy wading pools.
  • Turn over or remove plastic pots and buckets. If you are collecting rainwater, be sure to cover it with house screening to prevent the eggs from being laid on or near the water.
  • Replace water in pet and livestock feeding dishes or troughs at least once a week.
  • Fix dripping outdoor faucets that create pools of water.
  • Change the water in the bottom of plant containers, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
  • Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water. Pump out any water in boats on trailers, dry docked, or unused. You can also overturn them.
  • Check plants, especially bromeliads, with large leaves that may collect water. Eliminate the plant, keep it inside, or flush it out or empty stagnant water at least once a week.
  • Clean out eaves, gutters, flat roofs, and troughs.
  • Pick up broken, unused, or discarded toys.
  • Don’t leave garbage can lids lying around upside down collecting water.
  • Pick up beverage containers and cups.
  • Check holes in trees or stumps that may collect water. Remove the stumps, plug the holes with sand or cement, or flush them out with a spray of water at least once a week.
  • Pick up plastic wrappers that can collect water.
  • Fill in areas where water collects such as low grassy areas and tire tracks.
  • Stock landscaping ponds with minnows or other fish that eat mosquito larvae.

To prevent mosquitoes from coming into your home and/or biting you, try the following:

  • Be sure all window and door screens are in good repair with no holes or tears.
  • Equip the doors, especially screened doors, with a self-closing apparatus.
  • Encourage “good” bugs to hang out in your yard by avoiding bug zappers and similar gadgets. They kill the beneficial bugs and attract mosquitoes to your yard.
  • Stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. If you must be out, where long sleeves and long pants with socks.
  • Use mosquito repellent if you are going out during mosquito peak hours. Avoid wearing perfume, cologne, or scented lotions as they may attract mosquitoes. 
Try using various repellent plants, candles, coils, and area repellents outdoors to help around pools, porches, or patios where there is little air movement.  These should not, however, be used indoors.

For more information
Charlotte County Environmental & Extension Services
25550 Harbor View Road, Unit 2, Port Charlotte, FL  33980
941.764.4360