At Home

To minimize larval habitat at the home:

• Clean roof gutters at least annually
• Remove any unnecessary containers from the property (flower pots/trays, tires, toys, boats, equipment)
• Drain and rinse birdbaths twice a week
• Aerate and/or stock ornamental ponds with fish
• Configure tarps to drain any incident rainwater
• Use landscaping to minimize standing surface water
• Close pools when not in use and be aware that pool covers can collect rainwater and provide habitat for mosquitoes as well
• Patch or drain tree holes
• For areas of standing water that cannot be drained use larvicides

Photo courtesy State of Maine Division of Infectious Disease