Keep Mosquitoes (And West Nile) From Breeding

The Allegheny County Heath Department wants you to keep West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes away from your homes and neighborhoods by destroying potential breeding sights. Standing water is where the bugs will multiply, so ACHD recommends draining any outside containers after heavy rainfall. Spokesman Guillermo Cole says even a bottle cap filled with water can attract mosquitoes to breed. Also, puddles in your yard or driveway and clogged gutter or storm drains should be fixed. You don't have to run outside after every rainfall, as it takes a few days for mosquitoes to breed, and even longer in colder weather. The safest move is to remove or cover any outside containers. There are currently no confirmed reports of the West Nile virus. Cole says these are preventative measures as the mosquito season starts to head off a later outbreak.