Mosquitoes breed in water and a small amount will serve the purpose.

Any water that sits for days can become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae.

You can help reduce the risk of West Nile infection by removing areas in your yard that attract mosquitoes.

Use the “Yard clean-up checklist” below to keep mosquito populations low in Windsor and Essex County.

Old tires and tire swings are popular breeding sites for mosquitoes. Remove water from tire swings or replace with another type of swing.

Yard clean-up checklist:
1. Throw away all garbage including: tin cans, plastic cups, and unused flowerpots.
2. Cover or drill holes in garbage cans, recycling and composting bins.
3. Cover rainwater barrels tightly and dump rainwater if it is more than four days old.
4. Turn over wheelbarrows and plastic wading pools when they are not being used.
5. Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish or frogs.
6. Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated. Dump standing water from pool covers.
7. Clean eaves troughs; remove standing water around structures and on flat roofs.
8. Fill in low depression areas to prevent standing water.
9. Make sure ditches and driveway gutters drain properly.
10. Cut back or remove overgrown trees and bushes.
11. Mulch or recycle organic matter that falls from trees (berries and leaves); so they do not collect in storm sewers and become a food source for mosquito larvae.
12. Check under shrubbery and lawn coverings for hidden containers.
13. Change washers on outside taps that drip; fix leaks from hoses, joints or water pipes.
14. Make sure window and door screens fit securely and are free of rips and holes.
15. Keep firewood dry by stacking it away from walls and fences.
16. Install bat and bird houses on your property. Birds such as swallows and purple martins eat millions of mosquitoes.
17. Remove all debris and clutter from your yard and be aware of clutter in neighbouring properties.

Note: Using certain plants, Citronella candles or bug zappers has not been proven effective in controlling mosquito populations.