Be Your Own Neighborhood Mosquito Inspector

Hillsborough County residents can play an important role in reducing mosquito populations by thinking like mosquito inspectors

A few minutes spent walking around a yard each week to identify and eliminate standing water can help interrupt the mosquito life cycle before eggs hatch. While Hillsborough County's Mosquito Management Program combines surveillance, treatment, public education, and resident participation to reduce mosquito populations, preventing breeding at home remains one of the most effective tools.

You can think like a mosquito inspector and patrol your property after it rains and at least once each week, keeping a sharp eye out for even small amounts of standing water. Flowerpots, buckets, toys, tarps, gutters, birdbaths, pet bowls, and pool covers are common culprits for holding sneaky standing water.

As little as 1 teaspoon of standing water can be enough to make a perfect home for a clutch of mosquito eggs.

Expert mosquito inspectors know that properly maintaining swimming pools, properly discarding or recycling unused items that can hold water, and keeping window and door screens in good repair can all have huge impacts on holding back the mosquito menace!

Mosquito larvae can be seen in a small amount of standing water inside the cup of a bromeliad leaf alongside a junebug.

While on patrol, wear long sleeves and pants when practical and apply an EPA-registered insect repellent (be sure to check the label). Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone can help reduce mosquito bites.

If you are a Hillsborough County resident and have ornamental ponds, fountains, animal troughs, rain barrels, or other intentional standing water features on your property, you can add mosquitofish at no cost to you by attending Hillsborough County's seasonal mosquitofish giveaways. These small native freshwater fish feed on mosquito larvae, providing a natural method of mosquito control.

A mosquito inspector collects a water sample to check for mosquito larvae in a neglected, swampy pool.

The next giveaway is scheduled for July 18 at Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library from 8 a.m. to noon. A photo ID showing Hillsborough County residency is required, and fish are available while supplies last.

Residents who notice persistent mosquito problems or potential breeding areas can report concerns through the County's Mosquito Management Program for investigation.