How to Prevent Mosquitoes from Breeding

Edited by Lael Rapier, Maluniu, Chris

The most iconic summertime pest is the mosquito. Depending on your area of residence, mosquitoes can be nothing more than a simple nuisance that negatively impacts your quality of living or they can pose a serious health risk in the form of transferable diseases. Whether you're trying to reduce your risk of contracting an illness or you just want some peace of mind, you may want to get rid of as many mosquitoes as you can. You can do this by attacking the problem at its root by not allowing the mosquitoes to breed. Learning how to prevent mosquitoes from breeding can go a long way towards reducing the impact of mosquitoes on your standard of living. Water is a necessary resource in every stage of the mosquito breeding process. If you deprive the mosquitoes of water, they will be unable to breed.

Ad

1. 
   1
   Empty, drain, or cover all things that can and may hold water. Areas of your backyard or porch may have spots where rain water can pool. Barrels and trash cans tend to collect rain water extremely well. Old tires, empty bottles, buckets, and other small containers can condense water vapor into tiny pools. Empty and drain all pools of water and cover them up to prevent more water from gathering.
   Ad
2. 
   2
   Maintain swimming pools with proper care. If you have a small plastic pool meant to be used temporarily, make sure you drain all of the water and store it indoors when it's not in use. If you have a backyard swimming pool, monitor the chlorine levels regularly and keep the pool clean.
3. 
   3
   Repair or prevent outside leaks. Plumbing that runs outside can be affected by exposure to the weather, resulting in minor leaks. Window air conditioners often drip condensation, which can pool on the ground. Dripping outdoor faucets also pool on the ground. Repair these problems to minimize water collection as much as possible.
4. 
   4
   Change water collection pans for plant pots weekly. When you water your plants, the excess water will run through the soil and collect in a pan. If you have any outdoor plants, these collection pans are a prime location for mosquitoes to breed. Empty and clean the pans at least once a week, preferably more frequently.
5. 
   5
   Clean bird baths weekly. If you have a bird bath outside your house, the stagnant water is a great place for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Minimize mosquitoes breeding there by changing the water and scrubbing down the bath at least once a week, preferably more frequently.
6. 
   6
   Mow your lawns weekly. Mosquitoes aren't likely to lay eggs in tall grass, but they tend to sit in tall grass for rest and hiding. Keep your grass as short as possible and as frequently as possible.
7. 
   7
   Eliminate or fill nooks, crannies, and holes. If you have a patio or a porch, there may be small crevices and openings that can harbor mosquitoes and their eggs. Trees on your lawn may have holes in their trunks where mosquitoes can reside and breed. If you can't eliminate the holes, consider filling them with sand.