Fresno Mosquito & vector Control District Mosquito Information

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Mosquito Information

Self- Help

Dear Resident:

Please refer to the self-help section and all attached documents for help with ideas on how to eliminate mosquito development sites (indoors and outdoors) and protect yourself and family from mosquito bites.

Please eliminate mosquito development sites weekly, and protect your skin from bites daily.

Because some mosquitoes can develop in as little as a teaspoon of fresh water, improvement will require a community effort. Feel free to share these instructions.

Common Household Items

Containers
Any container capable of holding at least a teaspoon of water throw away, turn over, empty once a week or drill holes in the bottom. Examples: Buckets, watering cans, drinking glasses, cups, bottle caps, etc.
Old Tires
Dispose of at your local recycling facility. If used for playground equipment, drill holes for water to run. If on ground, ensure holes are not blocked by debris.

Pet Water Bowls
Scrub and rinse out once a week.

Tarps, Plastic Covers, Flexible Sandbox Covers
Drain water trapped in folds and arrange so water runs off.

Potted Plant Saucers
Empty saucers or flush out with garden hose once a week. Remove saucers from under plants.

Garbage Cans, Barrels, Recycling Bins
Keep cans covered with lid or drill holes in bottom. If collecting rain water, cover with fine mesh screen.

Rain Barrels
Cover rain barrel with insect screen and tightly secure. Install small pieces of screen over any other holes such as overflow valves or connection points, and secure. If rain barrel comes with a screw top, place the square mesh between the rain barrel and the lid and screw it in place. Try to use the collected water first and empty barrels completely between rain events.

Building Structures

Dripping Outdoor Faucets and Window Air Conditioners
If puddling, repair faucet. Place rocks under window air conditioner to ensure water runs off or fill hole with dirt.
Drainage Ditch, Culvert, or Low Areas Clogged by Grass or Weeds
Remove grass and weed clippings so water can flow and/or drain freely.
Gutters, including “Covered” Types
Clean so water runs freely.
Hollow Fence Posts Without Caps
Put caps on open chain link or plastic fence posts.

Old Playground Equipment
Remove and dispose of. If it must be stored, put under cover. Be sure water drains off.
Sump Pumps
Cover with screening.
Under Decks and Porches: Stored Items, Depressions in Dirt or Plastic Ground Linings
Fill in depressions. Remove or turn over any stored items that hold water.

Backyard/Garden

Base of Patio Umbrellas and Portable Basketball Stand
Fill with sand or, if filled with water, be sure to screw on plug. Keep water out of depressions in stand.

Bird Baths
Scrub & Dump out once a week. Add a mosquito donut.

Ornamental Ponds and Fountains
Filter water, add mosquito fish or add a mosquito donut.

Wheelbarrow Stored Outside
Store upside down.

Outdoor Grills
Keep covered. Ensure the vent is closed.

Plastic in Gardens to Prevent Weeds
Use landscape cloth that will allow water to pass through instead of plastic sheets that hold water.

Bromeliads (Plants that Hold Water)
Turn plant over to dump water. For plants too large, flush out cavities with garden hose once a week. Discard or remove from landscaping if possible.

Children’s Toys

Portable Basketball Hoops
Ensure caps for fill holes are in place; replace if lost.

Kiddie Pools
Empty or change water in kiddie pools every 5-7 days. Store indoors or turn over when not in use.

Sand Boxes
Drill small drainage holes on the bottom of the sand box.

Toys, Wagons, Etc.
Keep toys turned over or inside when not in use. If water can get inside the plastic toy, so can a mosquito — drill drainage holes in the bottom.

Deflated Toys
Drain off water, dry out, and store indoors when not in use.

Recreation

Boats, Canoes
Pump out bilges. Turn over canoes and small boats. If not possible to turn over, dump out after each rain.

Jet Skis
Rinse out the foot depressions with a hose.

Pool Pumps and Drains
Check weekly to ensure water is draining from area.
Old Playground Equipment

Remove and dispose of. If it must be stored, put under cover.

Be sure water drains off.

Pools, Spas, Unmaintained Swimming Pools
Turn over kiddie pools when not in use. Contact the District when swimming pools and spas are in nonoperational condition. If draining, wet/dry vacuum to remove water.

Under Decks and Porches: Stored Items, Depressions in Dirt or Plastic Ground Linings
Fill in depressions. Remove or turn over any stored items that hold water.