Information About Mosquito Control

What We Do

The City of Chesapeake consists of three Districts operating as one Mosquito Control Commission. Mosquito control is important to the community because of the potential threat of the insect to transmit diseases and create a nuisance that can disrupt outdoor activities. Various species of mosquitoes are capable of transmitting malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis and other diseases.

The Mosquito Control Commission uses several methods to control or eliminate mosquitoes which include:

During mosquito breeding season, surveillance programs are necessary so that control activities can be concentrated in those areas with the most serious problems. Many surveillance techniques are used, such as:

What You Can Do

Mosquito Control can offer residents tips for keeping the pest under control. Make sure you have no containers holding water around your property. Eliminate all breeding areas and habitats in yard. Examples:

  • Empty, remove, or cover any receptacle that would hold water - particularly old bottles, tin cans, junk and tires
  • Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets
  • Screen rain barrels and openings to water tanks
  • Cover or turn small boats upside down and keep all water pumped from the bilge
  • Change water in wading pools, birdbaths, pet dishes, and vases holding flowers or cuttings twice a week
  • Clean clogged roof gutters of all debris and drain flat roofs
  • Dispose of yard debris (grass cuttings, trimming, branches, leaves, etc.) properly. Do not put in ditches or drainageways!
  • Fill holes in trees with sand or mortar, or drain or spray them as needed
  • Fix or replace screen on doors and windows
  • Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito larvae eating fish
  • Report standing water

Avoid Mosquitoes - Protect Yourself and Your Family (PDF)

Do you have further questions? Contact Chesapeake Mosquito Control Commission at 757-382-3450.

Asian Tiger Mosquitos

Have you recently requested mosquito control service? In the past, Chesapeake Mosquito Control Commission has done backyard inspections and sometimes sprayed yards, but over the past several days, we have seen requests increase from an average of five per day to well over 100. We don't have staff to spray that many yards, even if we suspend all our other work to combat mosquitos in the city, including scientific monitoring of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, elimination of mosquito breeding sites, treating stagnant water for immature mosquitoes, and ULV (nighttime spraying) for adult mosquito problems.

We are asking for your patience and your help. The Asian tiger mosquito is one species that is very difficult for us to control, and it also happens to carry the Zika virus. These mosquitoes only lay eggs in small artificial containers that catch and hold rainwater and the adults remain hidden in backyards. Control of this species requires individual inspection of private property to find and eliminate egg-laying sites. The Commission will perform these inspections if there is no evidence of other mosquito problems, but they are labor-intensive and take considerable time. Our resources are limited and we cannot personally respond to the large volume of requests for personal property inspections we have recently received. Citizen action is a much quicker and more efficient method of controlling Asian tiger mosquito problems.