Sacramento, June 20, 2019 – Rainwater isn’t the only worry for mosquito control officials; wasteful water practices are creating mosquito breeding grounds in backyards across California. Overwatering – or inefficient watering – of lawns and using excessive water to wash cars and driveways can create standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs. Unattended standing water in pet bowls and flowerpots can also create more urban mosquitoes which means greater risk of disease transmission in residential areas.
In addition, abandoned swimming pools, ornamental ponds, septic tanks, and rain barrels, which are especially predominant in areas ravaged by wildfires, can contribute to mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes can breed in sources of water as small as a bottle cap, so it’s critical that residents inspect their yards weekly and remove any standing water.
“Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors, but it is also the height of mosquito season,” said Jeremy Wittie, President of the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC). “Protecting public health is a shared responsibility and we must all commit to making mosquito prevention part of our regular routine. Responsible irrigation as well as dumping and draining all standing water in the yard are simple steps residents can take to eliminate mosquito habitats.”