Mosquito Control After Floods and Storms
Standing water breeds mosquitoes within a week. Dump, drain and protect yourself.
Question 1
The goal
Reduce mosquito bites and mosquito-borne disease after storms.
Question 2
Materials
- EPA-registered repellent (DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus)
- Long sleeves and pants
- Window screens / net
- Bucket
Question 3
Substitutes
- Bed net over sleeping area
- Fan (mosquitoes are weak fliers)
- Mosquito dunks (Bti) for water that can't be drained
Where to find it
| Material | Household | Wilderness | Urban / scavenged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repellent | Medicine cabinet | Head net | Pharmacy |
Question 4
Step by step
- 1
Walk your property once a week and dump any standing water: buckets, tires, toys, tarps, flowerpot saucers, gutters.
- 2
Scrub containers — eggs stick to the sides.
- 3
Cover rain barrels with fine mesh.
- 4
Use Bti mosquito dunks in water you can't drain; it's safe for people and pets.
- 5
Repair or improvise screens with netting and tape.
- 6
Apply repellent to exposed skin, following the label; put sunscreen on first, repellent second.
- 7
Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk.
- 8
Sleep under a net if windows must stay open.
- 9
Seek medical care for fever, rash or joint pain after bites.
Saved steps go to My Survival Notebook.
Question 5
The science
Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water, and larvae become adults in about 7–10 days. Removing water interrupts the life cycle.
Question 6
Dangers & limits
- Follow repellent labels for children.
- Avoid standing floodwater when draining (contamination).
- Don't use oil of lemon eucalyptus on kids under 3.
Question 7
How you know it worked
No standing water around the home and no larvae seen in containers.