Jefferson Parish provides a fully integrated pest management program for the control of disease vector and nuisance mosquitoes in the Parish, excluding the Town of Grand Isle.

The program uses a combination of strategically placed New Jersey light traps, gravid traps, ovitraps, and citizen complaints to obtain data on mosquito populations.  Mosquito Control Services performs routine inspection/surveillance for mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes; chemical, biological, and physical control of disease vector and nuisance mosquitoes; public education; complaint intake and resolution; efficacy testing; encephalitis surveillance and suppression services; and special event and disaster emergency services.

Jefferson Parish residents are advised to police their own property for standing water.  Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle.  Remember, just about anything that can hold water, even a bottle cap, could be an ideal place for mosquitoes to breed.  Proper control measures can go a long way in stopping the spread of mosquito borne illnesses like West Nile Virus.

Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions around the home:

• Empty containers that might be holding water weekly.
• Flush bird baths, kiddie pools, pet water bowls, and bromeliads weekly.
• Don't over water potted plants; remove pans under flower pots to dump any unnecessary water.
• If you have a swimming pool, fountain, pond or water garden, make sure it has a pump that is operational and keeps water circulating.  Stock ponds with minnows or other fish.
• Treat swimming pools with appropriate chemicals on a regular basis.
• Check roof gutters to make sure they are not clogged or holding water.
• Fill and grade low spots, indentations and tire tracks.
• Remove trash and spare parts from your yard and keep grass mowed.
• Keep boats, barbecue grills, etc. covered (make sure tarp is tight and doesn't hold water) or drain regularly.
• Remove old tires from your yard by placing them curbside for collection (4/week/home) or bring them to the nearest trash drop off site for disposal.
• Fill tree holes and hollow stumps that hold water with sand or concrete.
• Residents are advised to take the following steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites: avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, wear long sleeves and long pants when outside, use insect repellant containing DEET according to label directions.  All window and door screens should be bug tight.