North Shore Mosquito Abatement District
Homeowner Tips

The following are recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the
NSMAD as preventive measures that can be taken to help reduce mosquito-breeding
sites. With proper water management, together we can keep mosquito breeding and  
Mosquito-borne diseases to a minimum.

1. Clean and properly maintain catch basins that hold water.
2. Cut, remove, and properly discard excess overhanging vegetation along or over the     
 banks of drainage ditches or stagnant slow-moving streams.
3. Eliminate water-holding tree stumps; cut, remove, and properly discard excess
vegetation and weeds around lagoons, ponds and similar habitats, so that a shaded
canopy of vegetation is not allowed to provide an ideal environment for the
development of the mosquito.
4. Clean out debris, broken tree limbs, and objects that impede the normal stream flow
so polluted pockets of water do not remain.
5. Stack pails, barrels, tubs, vases, wheelbarrows, and similar containers upside down so      
water does not accumulate in them.
6. Fill or drain any low places where water may stand for more than a week.
7. Inspect and clean rain gutters and downspout's if leaves and other debris block them.
8. Collect and properly discard all useless artificial containers and old tires.
9. Place tight covers over rain barrels, cisterns, septic tanks, and other containers that
hold water.
10.Change the water in birdbaths and wading pools once a week.
11.Check flower pots for mosquito larvae.
12.Properly maintain backyard swimming pools to discourage the development of               
 mosquitoes by draining and covering any pool not in use.