West Nile Virus Prevention | Protect Against a 40% Spike in Cases

Your healthy, well-maintained lawn should be a place to relax, recharge, and enjoy time outdoors. But when mosquitoes swarm, the game changes fast. And these backyard invaders aren’t just annoying—they’re dangerous.

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this fall has seen an alarming spike in reported West Nile cases. Early September saw 770 cases of West Nile virus, which included over 490 severe cases.

This represents a dangerous uptick compared to 2024’s 550 cases (350 being severe) for this time of year. We’re seeing West Nile grabbing headlines across North America in:

Communities Across the US: 

• Delaware
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Massachusetts
• Texas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Several others

Communities Across Canada:

• British Columbia
• Quebec (a massive 4x increase in reports)
• Ottawa
• Niagara Region
• Peel Region
• Mississauga
• Simcoe County
• Windsor-Essex
• Waterloo region
• And many more

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to mosquito-proof your yard to reduce West Nile virus risk.

West Nile Virus Prevention: Tips to Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Home

When spending time outdoors, especially when working in the yard or areas with overgrown foliage, use a strong insect repellent containing effective ingredients, and make sure to check the labels for safe use, especially for children. 

Next, you will want to remove any standing water– that's where mosquitoes breed and where your problem literally multiplies.

So clear away standing water in:

• Recycling bins and garbage cans
• Small/ kiddie pools and toys
• Tires
• Buckets and pales
• Flowerpots and planters
• Birdbaths
• Pet dishes

It also helps to keep your rain guard/ gutters as clear as possible.

Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Weeds?

It’s not so much that any type of weed attracts mosquitoes. It’s more that thick and dense clumps of weeds provide a safe haven for adult mosquitoes. It’s a place for them to rest and hide from their natural predators.

This means that keeping your yard as well-maintained and as weed-free as possible will help keep the mosquito population in check. However, some properties may be particularly prone to mosquitoes, such as: 

• A heavily wooded area
• A home with a pond nearby
• A yard that doesn’t get a lot of wind

In any case, professional mosquito control is the most effective method of mosquito prevention. Our friends at Mosquito Hero (powered by Weed Man) can help you reclaim your outdoor space with custom, targeted control from a trained professional, effectively reducing the mosquito population in your yard. 

You can start right now by finding a Mosquito Hero in your area to find out how they can help you.