West Nile Info

"Skeeter Slayer" Rob Suydam, Senior Environmental Inspector with Public Works Environmental Division, instructs a class of county employees how to treat and eliminate mosquito breeding areas. The classes have helped certify more than 100 county employees in the application of mosquito-specific pesticides on county property.

Read more about Henrico's fight against mosquitoes in the "Sting of Spring" article in the Spring 2004 issue of Henrico Today.

Download a Standing Water Brochure here

Download a West Nile Brochure here

 

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Reduce mosquito breeding areas early

Animals --- Keep food and water bowls clean and use heartworm preventative for dogs.

Bamboo --- If cut, eliminate the hollow stumps so they can't hold water.

Birdbaths --- Empty and change water weekly.

Boats, canoes --- Turn over or cover boat or use bilge pumps, scoop water out or treat with a larvicide.

Building materials --- Keep unused pipe inside or turned over so no water accumulates.

Chain link fence --- Cover chain link fence posts, which are hollow, with metal or plastic caps.

Children's toys --- Store inside or turn over so water does not collect, especially plastic toys or “Kiddie Coops.”

Clothing --- Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Loose, light colored clothing provides the best protection.

Containers --- Cover containers or turn upside down. Includes: ashtrays, buckets, cans, cups, jars, and flower pots, etc.

Decks/porches --- Fill in depressions, remove containers from under the deck or turn over anything that collects water. Dump it once a week .

Drainage ditch --- Remove grass clippings and leaves, so water can drain or flow freely.

Drains/gutters --- Keep outdoor drains flowing freely and keep rain gutters free of debris.

Dripping water --- Fix leaky faucets and air-conditioner drains and hoses.

Drought --- Conditions may spread the virus since birds and mosquitoes share the same few water sources, even in yards.

Dumpsters --- Keep dumpsters covered and remove any water inside and under dumpster.

Flat roofs --- Inspect weekly and remove or treat any puddles.

Irrigation --- Do not over water. Eliminate or treat any areas of excess standing water weekly.

Landscaping --- Remove plastic sheeting under bark or rock, replace with landscape fabric that prevents weeds yet allows water through.

Lawn ornaments --- Check for areas that hold water and turn over or dump weekly.

Lighting --- Check landscape and sidewalk lighting and eliminate water that may collect on tops of fixtures.

Ornamental Ponds --- Stock with mosquito-eating fish . .

Outdoor grills --- Keep covered and check plastic covers for pockets of water.

Playgrounds --- Drill drainage holes in tire swings and playground equipment that hold water.

Ponds. --- Keep healthy to ensure Treat larger areas with BTI larvicide.

Pools/spas --- Maintained pools and spas are not a hazard if treated with proper chemicals. Treat abandoned pools and spas with a BTI larvicide.

Potted plants --- Empty weekly or drill holes in outdoor saucers or fill with sand.

Rain barrels --- Cover to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Treat with mosquito dunks or briquettes .

Rain gutters --- Keep free of debris or they become breeding areas.

Recycling bins. --- Drill drainage holes in bottom of recycling bin. If upside down, check lip that may hold water.

Turn jars --- upside down.

Screens --- Check screens for holes; replace or repair.

Shrubbery --- Trim shrubs and bushy plants, mosquitoes often hide there.

Tarps --- Plastic tarps can hold pockets of water and breed thousands of mosquitoes.

Tool sheds --- Maintain sheds and eliminates water around foundation. Check those items stored behind the shed. They frequently hold water.

Tires --- Dispose of used tires properly. Mosquitoes breed here. Drill drainage holes in tires or treat with a larvicide

Trash --- Eliminate anything that can hold water: cups, cans, and plastic, mosquito larvae can grow in 2 tablespoons of water.

Trash cans --- Keep tightly covered, emptied or turned upside down. Make sure lids are not turned up and allowed to collect water.

Trees --- Fill tree stumps and hollow areas in trees with sand or eliminate.

Umbrella base --- Table umbrella and basketball bases often fill with water, seal with duct tape or fill with sand and cover tightly.

Wading pools --- Turn over kiddie pools when not in use. Larvicide unused swimming pools with mosquito dunks monthly.

Wheelbarrows --- To prevent water accumulation, store wheelbarrows vertically or turn over.