Mosquitoes can breed in as little as 2 tablespoons of water! Even small containers can collect water and breed hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes, like bottles, tires, plant containers, children’s toys, barrels, buckets, bucket lids, and overturned garbage can lids. This is another reason why it is so important not to litter!

Everyone can remove, reduce, and cover containers around their yards, homes, and businesses that hold water and can breed mosquitoes. This is called source reduction.

Some ways to prevent and reduce mosquitoes around your yard are:

• Check your yard for objects that can hold water, even small amounts of water, and remove it, cover it, or dump out the water at least once a week.
• Dispose of all tires properly. Tires can breed thousands of mosquitoes.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers and flowerpots.
• Clear roof gutters of debris.
• Clean your pets’ water dishes at least once a week.
• Check and empty water out of children’s toys at least once a week.
• Pick up and throw away trash. Don’t litter.
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
• Change the water in bird baths at least once a week.
• Kayaks and other small watercraft should be turned over or kept in rain-free storage. Larger boats and jet skis that are out of the water should be covered and covers such as tarpaulins should be checked for standing water and have the water removed at least once a week.
• If water collects on your pool cover, remove the water from the pool cover at least once a week.
• Empty water collected in tarps or tents around the yard at least once a week.
• Plug tree holes and empty water out of or treat bromeliads and other water collecting plants.

Read more on how to protect your home and property at https://www.cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/control_mosquitoes_chikv_denv_zika.pdf