This document provides guidance on how to mosquito-proof a yard by eliminating standing water sources. It advises on various methods, including emptying containers like buckets, cleaning gutters, covering rain barrels with screens, adjusting downspout extensions for drainage, and managing water in planters and pet dishes. The document also covers larger items like tarps, portable basketball hoops, garbage cans, kiddie pools, sandboxes, toys, boats, pools, and jet skis, offering solutions such as drilling drainage holes, storing items upside down or indoors, and maintaining tight covers. The Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division is acknowledged for contributing information to the brochure.
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--- Document: How to Mosquito Proof Your Yard Document ---
*For contact information on your local mosquito control
agency, visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/pcp/
bpo-mfagencies.htm.
Buckets
Empty buckets
and turn them
over.
Gutters
Keep gutters
clean and
properly pitched.
Rain Barrels
Cover tops of rain barrels with
tightly fitted screen. (Use nylon
window screen and secure
with a bungee cord or other
tight elastic.) Mosquitoes will
use the overflow hole to get
in and lay their eggs; either
plug hole or contact your local
mosquito control agency for
guidance.*
Flexible downspout
extensions
Pitch downspout
extensions so water
drains completely
after it rains or
replace with a non-
flexible extension
that is pitched to
drain fully. Keep the
inside free of debris.
Self-watering planters
Tightly seal the watering hole after adding
water. The most effective method for preventing
mosquitoes is to not use these planters.
Pet dishes and
planter saucers
Dump the water
out or rinse the
dish or saucer
every 3-5 days.
Planters without
drainage holes
Drill holes in the bottom
of your planter.
Decks and Porches
Make sure to
check under decks
and porches for
containers that may
hold water.
Habitat Checklist...............................
Mosquito-Proof Your Yard
Tarps, plastic bags and sheets
Keep tarps tight and refit them if
water collects.
Portable basketball hoops
and playsets
Make sure caps for basketball
hoop fill holes are in place; replace
if lost. Dry off playsets to prevent
standing water.
Garbage cans and
recycling bins
Drill drainage holes in
the bottoms of garbage
cans and recycling bins
and keep them covered
to prevent water from
getting in.
Kiddie pools
Empty or
change the
water every
5-7 days.
Be sure to
store indoors
or turn over
when not in
use.
Sand boxes
Drill small drainage
holes in the bottom
of the sand box.
Big plastic toys, wagons, etc.
Keep toys turned over or inside
when not in use. If water can get
inside the toy or tire swing, drill
drainage holes in the bottom.
Deflated toys
Drain off water,
dry out, and store
indoors when not
in use.
Leaky hose spigots
Fix leak or call a professional
plumber.
Wheelbarrows
Turn wheelbarrows
over or store them
upright. Check them
weekly and empty any
water found.
Watering Cans
Empty and store upside
down or in a garage or
shed.
Bird Baths
Change water
at least once
a week.
Decorative Ponds
Add a fountain, waterfall or other device
to prevent standing water, or contact
your local mosquito control agency on
how to treat for mosquito larvae.*
Behind the shed and under shrubs
Look under bushes and in overlooked spots in the
yard and remove debris that can hold water.
Boats
Empty all the water
possible. Cover
boats in storage
with tight-fitting
tarps or use boat
shrink wrap.
Pools and pool covers
Keep pool covers tight. If you know of an
abandoned home in your neighborhood with
a neglected pool, contact your local mosquito
control agency.*
Jet skis
Rinse out the foot depressions with a hose
every week. Jet skis can be tightly tarped or
stored indoors.
The Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division is
acknowledged for information contained in this brochure.
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