About West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus Prevention

Keep mosquitoes from bugging you:

Protect your home:

Keep drains and culverts free of grass clippings, weeds and trash so water will drain properly.
Empty standing water from:
- Potted plants
- Bird baths
- Pet dishes
- Wading pools
- Old tires
Repair torn screens.
Clean gutters.
Use Bti donut in areas standing water can not be eliminated. Larvicide available at garden centers.

Add fish. Any fish–including goldfish–will feed on mosquito larvae.
Dragonfly and damselfly larva in the water are good predators.
Construct ponds with vertical sides. Sloping sides encourage mosquito breeding.
Add a fountain or waterfall. Moving water deters mosquitoes.
Remove fallen leaves and debris regularly.
If fish are not present, use Bti “donuts” containing a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis or “Bti.”
Bti donuts control larvae for 30 days and each donut treats 100 sq. ft.
Bti donuts may be broken to treat smaller areas. Water treated with Bti is safe for fish, plants, wildlife and pets.
Bti donuts may be used anywhere water cannot be drained, even tree holes.

Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water. The key to controlling mosquitoes is in controlling the places where they breed.

Place window screen wire securely over top of rain barrels to keep leaves and mosquitoes out. Or use mosquito Bti donuts.
Never leave water in sprinkling cans or buckets for more than one day.
Check garden statuary for places water may collect. Add holes for drainage or empty regularly.
Make sure stored pots are not collecting water. Even water in a tin can may breed mosquitoes.
Clean and replenish bird baths and pet water bowls at least twice a week.
Empty saucers under flowerpots regularly.

What doesn’t work to control mosquitoes: