Mosquitoes are not only annoying, but they can carry serious diseases such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Browse through the information on this page to learn how to get rid of mosquitoes.

Although the risk of contracting a deadly disease from a mosquito is small, it is very real. You can prevent disease by covering up, using mosquito repellent, and staying inside at dusk, but those strategies may not be practical or appealing for everyone. There are things you can do to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, however.

• Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. One tablespoon of water can breed 200 mosquitoes, and as their life cycle is measured in days, they will multiply quickly. Encourage your neighbors to do remove standing water as well, as mosquitoes don't understand property boundaries.

1. Keep swimming pools and hot tubs chlorinated. If you use a cover, make sure its taut, with no indentations that can accumulate rain water.
2. Change the water in your bird bath daily.
3. Don't leave buckets, flower pots, or empty containers outside where they can fill with rainwater.
4. Store boats upside down, or cover tightly.
5. Store old tires in a garage or shed.
6. Check old trees for holes, and fill.
7. Make sure gutters aren't clogged.

• There are things you can do to reduce the mosquitoes that are already living in your yard, before they can breed.

1. Encourage natural predators.
   1. Stock ponds and creeks with fish.
   2. Build bat houses.
   3. Make your yard bird friendly, by providing food and nesting areas.
2. Invest in a mosquito trapping device, such as a Mosquito Magnet, that lures mosquitoes in using pheromones and carbon dioxide.

• Although there are insecticide tablets you can place in standing water to kill mosquitoes and their larvae., you're better off eliminating the water. Private companies also treat yards with sprays and granules. When using any poison you need to weigh the risks of the toxins against the potential benefits.

• Reducing the number of mosquitoes in your yard is important for comfort and health. Start by eliminating potential breeding areas and encouraging mosquito predators to take up residence in your yard before resorting to insecticides.