Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Offer Tips to Prevent Mosquito Habitats

August 19, 2025

Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Offer Tips to Prevent Mosquito Habitats
World Mosquito Day is August 20

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) offer tips to prevent mosquito habitats. Mosquitoes are one of the world’s most dangerous spreaders of disease.

“World Mosquito Day reminds us that this tiny insect can have a massive impact,” said Henrico Environmental and Vector Management Specialist/Medical Entomologist Charles Robertson. “Our collective knowledge and action are our strongest defenses. On World Mosquito Day, we recognize that while global solutions are vital, protection begins at home. Our vigilance—eliminating standing water, using protective measures and staying informed—is not just an act of defense, but a profound form of self-empowerment against a silent, persistent threat.”

Health risks mosquitoes pose:

• Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus, La Crosse encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, malaria, Zika virus and other diseases.
• Henrico County has a vector surveillance program that traps pools of mosquitoes to
  • a) identify what kind of mosquitoes are breeding in Henrico County and if new mosquito breeds (that can spread other diseases) are emerging in the area
  • b) test pools for West Nile Virus.

How to prevent mosquito habitats on your property:

• Check outside your residence to be sure there are no containers of standing water. Some mosquitoes lay eggs in containers of water, even containers that only hold about as much water as a bottle cap.
  • Dump water that collects in containers each week.
    • Wading pools, ornamental ponds, bird baths, neglected swimming pools, flowerpot trays, buckets and used tires can all serve as sources of standing water for mosquitoes to breed in.
  • Wash out containers each week before refilling them with clean water.
    • Mosquito eggs take one week to hatch.
  • Cover or store boats or buckets upside down to prevent water from collecting in these containers.
• Containers of water that cannot be dumped or drained should be regularly treated with mosquito larvicide dunks.
  • Use mosquito larvicide dunks to kill mosquito larvae in stagnant water sources during warm months when mosquitoes are active.
  • Follow instructions on the package for correct use.

How to protect yourself from mosquitoes:

• Mosquitoes are most active during dawn, dusk and nighttime hours but they can bite you at any time.
  • Wear loose-fitting and light-colored long sleeves and pants and limit the amount of exposed skin when you’re outside in areas where mosquitoes may be active.
  • Consider wearing mosquito repellents on bare arms, legs, neck and other exposed areas of skin.
• Do not sleep with windows open unless they are well-screened.
• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on your skin or clothing that contains one of the following:
  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • IR 3535
  • 2-undecanone
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus
• When using insect repellant on children, keep the following in mind:
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using products containing no greater than 30% DEET on children.
  • Do not use insect repellent on babies under two months of age.
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol should never be used on children under three years of age.

Please visit the Virginia Department of Health website for more information on mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illness.

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook. Sign up for RHHD’s monthly at rhhd.gov/news.

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