Pest guide
Mosquito breeding sites: a 15-minute yard audit
The Asian tiger mosquito can develop in a bottle cap of water. Most yard mosquitoes are raised within a few houses of where they bite you.
Why small water matters
Container-breeding mosquitoes such as Aedes albopictus lay eggs just above the waterline in small containers. The CDC recommends that once a week you empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out items that hold water.
Audit list
| Zone | Check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Roofline | Clogged gutters, sagging gutter sections | Clean and re-pitch |
| Downspouts | Corrugated extensions holding water | Replace with smooth pipe or splash blocks |
| Patio | Plant saucers, pet bowls, birdbaths | Empty and scrub weekly |
| Side yard | Buckets, wheelbarrows, tarps, toys | Flip, store or drain |
| Garden | Rain barrels, ornamental ponds | Screen barrels; keep pond water moving or stocked |
| Utilities | AC condensate puddles, meter boxes | Redirect drainage |
| Trees | Tree holes and stumps | Fill or drain |
Sources
Sources reviewed November 2026. Regulations change; confirm with the issuing agency.