Beat them
to the source.
No water, no mosquito babies.
☑ Done.
Why toss standing water? Mosquitoes don’t need much. A bottle cap of water is enough to breed hundreds. And it takes 5-7 days for an egg to mature into an adult.
The good news: most standing water in and around your home can simply be dumped, drained, or removed — no products, no cost, no expertise required. It’s the single most effective thing you can do, and it takes minutes.
Tossing works best as part of a system. It cuts off the next generation at the source. [Treating →] handles the water you can’t toss. [Trapping →] deals with the adults already out there.
Trash & Recycling Bins
Trash cans are one of the biggest culprits on the block.
This one surprises people every time: trash cans are one of the most significant mosquito breeding grounds in urban neighborhoods — and most people never think to check them.
Here’s the problem: lids crack, warp, and go missing. Bin bodies get holes punched through them from rough handling. Water gets in, sits in the bottom, and becomes a mosquito nursery that gets wheeled right back to your house every week.
A few things to do right now:
Check your bin’s lid and body. Cracks and holes let water pool inside and create a breeding ground. You can request a replacement through [DC 311→]— online, by phone, or through the 311 app. It takes about two minutes.
Note: Bin/lid repair and replacement is typically at the owner’s expense, but if the damage is caused by rodents, it will be free. Seniors are eligible for a discount.
Before a storm, close everything. This sounds obvious but it’s easy to forget. A bin left open during a rainstorm fills fast. Make it a habit: when rain is forecast, lids go down.
Can’t drain it? Treat it. If your bin consistently collects water in the bottom and you can’t fully dry it out, toss in a pinch of Bits. It won’t hurt anything and it kills larvae before they hatch. [More on BTi →]
Your neighbors’ bins
Your neighbors’ bins matter too. A cracked lid two doors down undermines everyone’s effort on the block.
Unfortunately you can’t request 311 services on behalf of your neighbor, but we’re working with DC’s Department of Public Works on piloting a bulk bin inspection and repair program — so neighbors on a block can opt in together and get issues addressed all at once.
[Find your block captain →] to get your block involved.
Other culprits
Once a week, do a slow walk around your property with fresh eyes:
Tarps and covers — anything with a fold or a sag collects water. Pull them taut or remove them entirely.
Planter saucers — always wet, always forgotten. Tip them out every few days or ditch them.
Big-leafed plants — some leaves cup enough water to breed mosquitoes. Give them a shake after rain.
Low spots in the yard — if water sits for more than a few days after rain, it’s a breeding ground. Fill the depression or redirect drainage if you can.
Kids’ toys, buckets, anything left outside — anything that holds water, does. Flip it over or bring it in.