Well-informed and active residents are necessary partners to combat disease carrying insects in our community. These resources will help you better protect yourself, your family, and your yard from mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit.
Mosquitoes in Arlington can be active at anytime throughout the day, not just dawn and dusk. To reduce your exposure:
- Use an effective repellent, such as DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Follow label directions.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors. And don’t forget socks!
- Make sure door and window screens are intact to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Drain all sources of standing water or use mosquito dunks to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. See Is Your Home a Mosquito Paradise? for some common sources of standing water.
- Eliminate standing water on tarps and flat roofs.
- Place lids securely on garbage cans.
- If the lid or cart is damaged and collecting water, request a cart repair by contacting 703-228-5000 or filling out an online “Report a Problem” form.
- Clean roof gutters and downspout screens regularly, and empty water from corrugated downspout extenders.
- Cover rain barrels with a screen or use mosquito dunks.
What are mosquito dunks? A natural insecticide (in disc form), which kills mosquito larvae. They are harmless to birds, fish, wildlife, and pets. Simply place a dunk in any standing water to control larvae for up to 30 days. They are available at hardware stores, some pet stores, and online.
Parks
Department of Parks and Recreation staff remove standing water sources in parks and playgrounds as part of their routine maintenance efforts. You can help by not leaving toys in parks and playgrounds as they can create a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Schools
Arlington Public Schools staff remove standing water sources as part of their routine maintenance efforts.
Zika virus spreads through mosquito bites. However, there is no current local transmission of Zika virus in the continental U.S. The last cases were in Florida and Texas in 2016-17.
Arlington County’s Zika response is based on guidance from the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
West Nile virus is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. See our West Nile Virus page for more information.