Mosquito Control - Promote the Partnership in Your Community - English

CDC’s Response to Zika

MOSQUITO CONTROL: PROMOTE THE
PARTNERSHIP IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Many methods can help control mosquitoes that spread viruses like Zika. To be most effective, multiple methods
should be used at the same time. This is called integrated mosquito management. Mosquito control activities can
be done across a city, throughout neighborhoods and local communities, and in and around homes and other
residences. People can also take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
By sharing this information and helping people in your community understand the roles everyone has in helping control
mosquitoes and the importance of doing their part, you can help promote the partnership needed to prevent Zika.

Who does what?
State and Local Governments
State and local governments oversee and implement mosquito control in a city. This includes
• Tracking mosquitoes and the viruses they carry.
• Deciding when and how to apply insecticides. This may include truck, plane, or handheld spraying.
»» Adulticides are used to kill adult flying mosquitoes.
»» Larvicides are used to treat areas of standing water to kill mosquito larvae.
• Monitoring effectiveness of control methods.

Neighborhoods and Local Communities
Members of the community can help with mosquito control in their neighborhood and local
areas they spend time in. This can include around schools, parks, and other public or community
spaces. They can
• Get rid of areas of standing water.
• Clean up trash and throw away items that can collect water, like tires.
• Apply larvicides to standing water that will not be used for drinking, such as decorative fountains
  and ponds.

Around the Home
People can get rid of mosquitoes in and around their home, apartment, or other living space by
• Once a week, removing standing water from items like flower pot saucers, buckets, bird baths,
  toys, and pools.
• Installing or repairing, and using window and door screens.
• Keeping windows and doors without screens shut.
• Using air conditioning when available.

Personal Protection
Everyone, including pregnant women, can take steps to prevent mosquito bites by
• Wearing insect repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient (DEET, picaridin,
  IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone)
• Covering up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Treating clothes with permethrin or buying treated clothes and gear.

For more information to share with your community about mosquito
control and preventing mosquito bites, visit www.cdc.gov/zika.
CS277545-A

May 3, 2017