Heavy rain and flooding after a severe drought can lead to an increase in mosquito populations and a higher risk of mosquito-borne disease. With your help, we can work together to reduce mosquito populations and keep our communities safe and healthy.

Prevention is key when it comes to keeping mosquitoes at bay in your backyard. Mosquitoes need only a small amount of water to complete their life cycle, so keep an eye out for things that can hold small (and large) amounts of water and remove them. Anything that can hold water for more than five to seven days can produce mosquitoes. Keep in mind that mosquitoes need as little as a 1/2 inch of water to complete their life cycle, therefore some sources may not be as obvious as others.

Here are some tips to help minimize mosquito production around your home:

• Clear debris from drainage ditches to allow water flow.
• Use a sump pump to remove standing water that may have accumulated under your home.
• Maintain swimming pools and spas.
• Remove tarps, trash, containers, tin cans, jars, buckets, etc.
• Recycle or dispose of old tires.
• Clean rain gutters.
• Dump water from items stored outside, including kiddie pools, wheelbarrows, bird baths and plant saucers.
• Properly screen or seal rainwater harvesting containers.
• Report suspected sources of mosquito production or mosquito problems to 707-285-2200 or online at www.msmosquito.org

If you have an area with water around your home that cannot be dumped or drained, contact us for advice.

The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District's programs and services are funded through property taxes and benefit assessments and provided at no additional cost to all residents in Marin and Sonoma counties.