For many Floridians, mosquitoes are simply part of spending time outdoors. But a mosquito bite can be more than an annoyance. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases, including dengue, West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
Recent dengue activity in Florida is a reminder that mosquito-bite prevention deserves our attention. According to the Florida Department of Health, 152 locally acquired dengue cases had been reported across six Florida counties by September 12, 2026, including 41 cases reported during the week of September 6–12.
While we cannot eliminate every mosquito, we can take practical steps to reduce our exposure and make our homes less welcoming to mosquito development.
Start by becoming a mosquito detective
One of the most effective things homeowners can do is inspect their own yards regularly. You do not need a large body of water to produce mosquitoes. Some species can develop in surprisingly small amounts of standing water.
Walk around your property and look for containers or areas where water collects. Check flowerpot saucers, buckets, children’s toys, birdbaths, clogged gutters, rain barrels, discarded containers, tarps, wheelbarrows, and other items that can hold water.
Don’t forget less obvious locations. Bromeliads and other plants that hold water can provide habitat for mosquito larvae, as can drainage areas, tree holes, and containers that may not be immediately noticeable.
Whenever possible, dump it, drain it or remove it. Empty containers regularly and turn them over or store them where they will not collect rainwater.
What about water that cannot be removed?
Sometimes standing water is necessary or difficult to eliminate. This is where Bti, or Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, can be useful.
Bti is a naturally occurring soil bacterium used as a biological control for mosquito larvae. Products containing Bti are available for certain residential uses, including treating standing water where mosquitoes may develop.
Bti works by producing proteins that are toxic to mosquito larvae when they consume them. It does not work as a mosquito repellent, and it does not kill adult mosquitoes.
When using a Bti product, select a product registered for the intended use and always follow the label directions. Some products are designed for specific water-holding situations, so homeowners should make sure the product is appropriate for the site they want to treat.
Think of Bti as one tool in an integrated approach, not a substitute for eliminating standing water whenever possible.
Protect yourself from bites
Even with good mosquito management around your home, adult mosquitoes can still enter your yard from other areas. Personal protection remains important.
When selecting an insect repellent, look for an EPA registration number and follow the label directions. EPA-registered repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone can provide effective protection when used as directed.
Wear long sleeves and pants when practical and use screens or air conditioning to keep mosquitoes outside.
Recently, our Master Gardener Volunteers had the opportunity to learn more about selecting and using insect repellents. Continuing education helps our volunteers share science-based information and practical strategies with the communities they serve.
Now it is your turn to be a mosquito detective. Take a few minutes this week to walk around your home and garden and look for places where mosquitoes could breed. Empty containers that collect water, clear clogged gutters, turn over items that can hold rainwater, and check less obvious places such as plant saucers and water-holding plants. For water that cannot be eliminated, consider an appropriately labeled Bti product. And when you head outdoors, protect yourself with an EPA-registered insect repellent used according to the label.
Don’t give mosquitoes a place to breed, and don’t give them an easy opportunity to bite. A few simple actions around your home can help reduce mosquito habitat and protect you and your family from mosquito-borne disease.
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