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Metro Vancouver's Role
About Mosquitoes and West Nile
Protect Yourself and Your Family
Mosquitoes Around Your Home
Managing Mosquito Habitats
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Mosquitoes Around Your Home 
Take a look around your home and property or apartment balcony and get rid of any good mosquito breeding sites or resting places.
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 Remove any type of standing water:
  • Drain or get rid of any tin cans, plastic containers, old tires, old flower pots or similar water-holding containers
  • Drill drainage holes in objects that may collect water
  • Change bird bath water at least weekly
  • Cover rain barrels with a screen to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs
  • Reduce the appeal of swimming or wading pools to mosquitoes
  • Remove water that collects on pool covers
  • Make sure the pool's circulating pump is working properly
  • Turn over wading pools when not in use
  • Clean and chlorinate outdoor pools and hot tubs
  • Keep eaves troughs and drains clear and dry
  • Clean leaves, twigs and other obstructions from eaves troughs, storm and roof gutters
  • Unclog any blocked drainage ditches
  • Check flat roofs for standing water
 Make your yard and lawn less appealing to mosquitoes:
  • Lawn cuttings, raked leaves or decaying debris such as fruit that has fallen from trees should be collected and recycled
  • Turn over compost frequently
  • Fill in low depressions in lawn
  • Clear out dense shrubbery where mosquitoes like to rest
  • Spread the word - point out potential mosquito breeding areas to your neighbours
  • Encourage mosquito predators like swallows and bats by providing habitat for them in your yard
 Exclude mosquitoes from inside your home:
  • Check window and door screens for holes and make sure they fit snugly
  • If you don't have screens, keep doors and windows closed between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
  • Get informed about mosquitoes and their habits
  • If you are unsure what mosquito larvae or pupae look like, a Metro Vancouver-sponsored interpretive program is a great place to learn - See the Check It Out activity guide to find educational programs about mosquitoes and their life cycle