Mosquitoes can breed just about anywhere as long as there are a few inches of undisturbed water. Catch basins, also known as storm drains, are perfect mosquito breeding grounds.  There are about 30,000 drains in each city within the South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement (SSLVMAD), which includes West Jordan. Each basin can produce up to 500 new mosquitos each week of the summer – that’s a potential of up to 15 million new mosquitoes every week, and that’s not including water in private yards.

The Mosquito Abatement is a taxing entity, just like the library, school district and City. Your property taxes fund their operations. Their job is to reduce the number of mosquitos, and prevent the spread of disease, especially the West Nile Virus.

The Abatement hires seasonal employees to inspect and treat every single catch basin during the spring and summer months. “They look for water, and debris,” Dan McBride, District Director for SSLVMAD, said. “If they deem it necessary, they will put in a growth inhibitor – a compound that prevents them from reaching adulthood.” The compound they may drop into the drain looks like a charcoal briquette and is not harmful to the water system.

Concerned about someone dumping trash into your storm drain? Ask them!   They typically ride a bike from drain to drain, in a bright orange shirt.  “At first glance, a person on a bike is going to look like they’re littering…but we’re out in the middle of the day being as conspicuous as we can be,” McBride explained. “Please stop them and ask questions.”

There are many places, big and small, for mosquitos to nest and grow. Here are some places you can check outside your home or business:

• Livestock watering troughs
• Ornamental ponds
• Clogged rain gutters
• Bird baths
• Old tires
• Open tarps
• Water in flower pots, or watering cans
• Swimming pools
• Sprinklers that leave pools of water
• Garbage cans
• Kids toys
• Buckets and lids
• Window wells
• Wheelbarrows
• Low spots on decks and concrete that pool water

Because the Mosquito Abatement is funded by taxes, all of their services are provided at no charge. They are always ready to help inspect your property for possible mosquito hatching grounds. If you would like someone to come inspect your property, please see South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement District.

Efforts to control the population doesn’t mean bites are no longer a problem. It is best to avoid bites when you are outside, especially from April through August. Here are some tips to keep you healthy and safe:

• Use repellents with approved ingredients by the Environmental Protection Agency. Find more detailed information about effective products here: Find the Repellent that is Right for You | US EPA
• Avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito activity between dusk and dawn.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible when outdoors