CLCA, California Landscape Contractors Association

Experts say that mosquitoes spreading the potentially deadly West Nile Virus need only 1/4-inch of stagnant water to breed. To protect your yard and property from these virus-carrying pests, the California Landscape Contractors Association says it is essential to check for drainage problems and get rid of even the smallest unwanted accumulations of water.

"There are many things that can be done to prevent mosquito infestations," says Jon Singley of the CLCA. "Eliminating standing water is key." Last year, more than 4,000 human cases of the West Nile virus were reported in 44 states, including California. Here are some tips that will help you search out any potential trouble spots in your yard.

• Check for water in crevices such as spare tires and unused plant containers. Keep an eye out for tire ruts and other depressions in the soil that can fill with water from rain or sprinklers.
• Check gutters and drain spouts, and inspect the intake and outflow ends of drainage pipes.
• Clean away slimy, mucky growth at the edge of ponds or water features. Better yet, invest in some mosquito fish, which have a voracious appetite for mosquito larvae.
• Drain recurring puddles in your yard by digging a small trench to an existing drain line.
• Don't overwater. If water-guzzlers such as nut sedge are flourishing, adjust your sprinklers.
• If rain or sprinkler water does not drain rapidly from a patio or driveway, use a drill bit especially designed for brick or concrete to create holes and keep the surface dry.
• Change water in your birdbath every other day.

To find a licensed landscape professional in your area, use the landscape contractor search engine at www.clca.org.

— Joan Waters