The best way to keep mosquitoes away is to clean up areas where they like to breed. Unlike birds or other insects, most mosquitoes do not fly very far and tend to stay close to their breeding sites and normal habitat.

Take a look around your house and property and get rid of mosquito-friendly places that would make good breeding sites or resting places for mosquitoes.

• Clean up and empty containers of standing water such as old tires, flower pots, wheelbarrows, barrels, tin cans or small containers like bottle caps that are outdoors.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of used containers so water can't collect.
• Change water in bird baths.

• Immediately remove water that collects on pool covers.
• Make sure the pool's pump is circulating.
• Turn over wading pools when not in use.

• Don't let things pile up. Clear leaves and twigs from eavestroughs, storm and roof gutters throughout the summer.
• Make sure drainage ditches are not clogged.
• Check flat roofs frequently for standing water.

Think mosquito prevention when working in the yard. Lawn cuttings, raked leaves or other decaying debris such as apples or berries that fall from trees should be collected, recycled or mulched so that organic matter does not end up in storm sewers as a food source for mosquito larvae.

• Turn over compost frequently.
• Fill in low depressions in lawn areas.
• Clear out dense shrubbery where mosquitoes like to rest.
• Spread the word. Point out potential mosquito breeding areas to your neighbours.

• Check window and door screens for holes and make sure they fit snugly into their frames, so mosquitoes will not get indoors.
• If you don't have screens, consider sleeping under a bed net to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

For more information, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment can be contacted through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's INFOline on questions regarding pesticide use for West Nile virus (WNv).

May 2005

© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2002  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimers  |   Last Modified :