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Tools and things to consider when preventing mosquitoes around your home

Help Prevent Mosquito-Borne Diseases

July 29, 2016
It’s summer, and with the trademark Florida heat comes the threat of mosquito-borne diseases. The City of Jacksonville Mosquito Control Division encourages all citizens to be proactive in protecting and preventing the transmission of ALL mosquito-borne diseases.

Here are tips on what you can do:

  • If you’re going to be outdoors, dress appropriately and wear repellent! Wear long sleeves, pants, shoes and socks. Use EPA registered repellents that contain either DEET, IR3535, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
  • Check your yard! Children’s toys make excellent mosquito breeding habitats. Empty water in any toys that may be holding water. Store toys after use in closed bins or covered storage areas like a garage or shed.
  • Scrub and rinse birdbaths, fountains or other large structures that are difficult to drain water from, and change the water regularly.
  • Check your property for any standing water in items such as tarps, buckets, tires, pet dishes, recycling bins, plant containers, garbage cans, litter and many other locations. It takes a very small amount of water for mosquito eggs to hatch and mature into adults. During peak mosquito season, this can occur in about 5 days.
  • Check your gutters to make sure they do not hold water. Corrugated plastic pipes connected to your downspouts are excellent mosquito breeding sites. Make sure that water drains properly. Clean any debris from gutters to allow rain water to drain correctly.
  • Repair any broken screens on windows, doors, porches and patios. 
 
Visit the Florida Department of Health’s Mosquito-Borne Diseases web page for more information on the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

About the City's Mosquito Control Division

The Mosquito Control Division is responsible for all activities in the City of Jacksonville relating to the control of mosquitoes. The division performs spraying as needed and educates the public about its role in reducing the mosquito population throughout the city.