In recent years, there has been much focus on the incidents of mosquito borne diseases, particularly West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. There are steps you can take to reduce the presence of mosquitoes on your property – mainly reducing standing water. Even a little bit of standing water – what might accumulate in the saucer of a plant pot after a rainstorm – can be an active breeding ground for mosquitoes.  Other places that could be good mosquito breeding grounds include:

• Discarded tires
• Rain barrels, buckets, empty cans
• Abandoned boats
• Clogged roof gutters
• Bird baths
• Abandoned or untreated swimming pools

Section 19-13-B31 of the Connecticut Public Health Code states that “no person shall maintain or permit to be maintained any pond, cesspool, well, cistern, rain barrel or other receptacle containing water or accumulation of stagnant water in such a condition that mosquitoes may breed therein or may injure health or cause offense to other persons”.

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is a mosquito borne viral infection that is transmitted by the culex species of mosquito. Most people infected with the virus experience no symptoms; however, the disease may be serious or even fatal. Certain populations such as the very young, the elderly and the immune-compromised may be a special risk.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes. To date, there has never been a document human case of EEE in Connecticut, although the virus has been found in trapped mosquitoes.