What to know
- Professionals from local governments or mosquito control districts develop control plans, perform tasks to control mosquitoes, and evaluate their efforts.
- You, your neighbors, and your community can also take steps to reduce mosquitoes in and around your homes and in your neighborhood.
Why mosquito control is important
Some mosquitoes are harmful and can spread viruses like West Nile, dengue, Zika, and parasites like malaria. Other mosquitoes bother people and are considered "nuisance" mosquitoes. Nuisance mosquitoes bite people, but don't spread germs.
- Over 200 types of mosquitoes live in the United States and U.S. territories.
- About 12 types of mosquitoes spread germs.
Local governments and mosquito control districts track the numbers and types of mosquitoes in an area and the germs they may be spreading. When infected adult mosquitoes are spreading germs to people, acting quickly can stop further spread and prevent people from getting sick. Professionals
- Share prevention information with the public
- Use multiple methods at the same time to kill mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes.
Everyone can help control mosquitoes
Professionals from local government departments or mosquito control districts develop:
- Mosquito control plans
- Perform tasks to control mosquito larvae, pupae, and adult mosquitoes
- Evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken
Your local mosquito control program or local health department can provide information about control efforts in your area. Find contact information on the Internet.
You, your neighbors, and the community can also take steps to reduce mosquitoes in and around your home and in your neighborhood.
How to report a mosquito problem
If you notice a high population of mosquitoes in your area, call your
- Local or state health department, or
- Local mosquito control district
You can contact your local mosquito control board or health department if you have concerns about standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Mosquitoes lay eggs in places like:
- Neglected swimming pools
- Trash
- Discarded tires
- Drainage ditches with standing water
Check online for contact information.
Support your local mosquito control program
Mosquito control activities are most often handled at the local level—through county or city government. The type of mosquito control methods used by a program depends on the time of year, the type of mosquitoes to be controlled, and mosquito habitats. Methods can include
- Eliminating mosquito larval habitats
- Applying larvicides to kill mosquito larvae
- Spraying insecticides from trucks or aircraft to kill adult mosquitoes
You can get information about products being used in your area by
- Contacting you local mosquito control program
- Checking with your local health department
Contact information may be found online or in the blue (government) pages of the phone book.
Support of local mosquito control efforts can help reduce mosquitoes that may be spreading germs in your area.