Some mosquitoes are harmful and can spread viruses like West Nile, dengue, Zika, and parasites like malaria. Other mosquitoes bother people and are considered “nuisance” mosquitoes. Nuisance mosquitoes bite people, but don’t spread germs. Of the over 200 types of mosquitoes in the United States and US territories, about 12 types spread germs.
Local government departments and mosquito control professionals track the numbers and types of mosquitoes in an area and the germs they may be spreading. When infected adult mosquitoes are spreading germs to people, acting quickly can stop further spread and prevent people from getting sick. Professionals share prevention information with the public and use multiple methods at the same time to kill mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes.
Everyone Can Help Control Mosquitoes
- Professionals from local government departments or mosquito control districts develop mosquito control plans, perform tasks to control mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes, and evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken.
- Your local mosquito control program or local health departmentcan provide information about control efforts in your area. Contact information may be found on the Internet.
- You, your neighbors, and the community can also take steps to reduce mosquitoes in and around your home and in your neighborhood.
- Control mosquitoes outside your home.
- Control mosquitoes inside your home.
Support Your Local Mosquito Control Programs
Mosquito Control: What state and local mosquito control programs do
Mosquito control activities are most often handled at the local level, such as through county or city government. The type of mosquito control methods used by a program depends on the time of year, the type of mosquitoes to be controlled, and mosquito habitats. Methods can include eliminating mosquito larval habitats, applying larvicides to kill mosquito larvae, or spraying insecticides from trucks or aircraft to kill adult mosquitoes.
Your local mosquito control program can provide information about the type of products being used in your area. Or, check with your local health department for more information. Contact information may be found online or in the blue (government) pages of the phone book.
Page last reviewed: October 6, 2020
