Notice: The SMCHD phone system is experiencing issues for some users. If you are unable to get through, please call (301) 475-4350 and leave a message for a return call. IT support is working to resolve the issue. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Community Mosquito Control

In addition to being general nuisances, mosquitoes are known vectors of various human illnesses, including dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus disease. People may become infected with these illnesses after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

At this time, the most effective way to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses is to reduce sources of mosquito breeding around areas where people live. Homeowners can remove, dump or apply larvicide to sources of standing water in yards, including small containers that can collect water.

Communities and homeowners’ associations can launch a mosquito “source reduction” campaign to eliminate mosquito breeding areas in their neighborhoods. A source reduction campaign may include:

  • Sharing information with property owners about how to reduce breeding sources of mosquitoes in their yards (some outreach strategies include flyers, newsletter articles,and social media postings)
  • A door-to-door effort of surveying external properties with the property owner to point out mosquito breeding sources and provide tips on how to address these

For help implementing a neighborhood mosquito source reduction campaign, use the Toolkit developed by the St. Mary’s County Health Department. Community members who are interested in becoming campaign coordinators are invited to use this toolkit. The Toolkit includes:

For questions about implementing a neighborhood mosquito source reduction campaign in your community, please contact the St. Mary’s County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 301-475-4321.

Mosquito Source Reduction

Additional Resources

 

Translate »