A Hillsborough County (Florida, US) release of 8 October 2026: during the dengue outbreak, County Mosquito Management reminds brick-and-mortar businesses to check the alley behind the shop, loading areas, dumpsters and outdoor storage and remove anything that collects rainwater.
Main points
- Items businesses often keep outside that homeowners may not have: buckets and large containers for cleaning, maintenance or storage; garbage and recycling bins holding water in lids or bottoms; dumpsters and dumpster lids; delivery carts and dollies; grease-collection containers and food-service equipment; tarps and plastic covers; construction materials or unused equipment.
- Aedes aegypti, the main mosquito spreading dengue virus, is a container breeder that can lay eggs in small amounts of standing water around homes and businesses, unlike mosquitoes that breed in ponds and lakes.
- Alleys and areas behind businesses are easy to overlook: trash and containers build up, and uneven pavement and clogged drains can hold rainwater for days. Owners and staff should inspect the whole property, including the back of the building, loading areas, parking lots and alleyways.
- Standing water should be dumped, drained or removed; items that must stay outside should be covered or positioned so they cannot collect rain. Regular inspections, especially after rainfall, help protect employees, customers and neighbours.
VPMA’s note
This checklist suits members surveying restaurants, supermarkets, warehouses and industrial sites: check the back of the premises too, record water-holding items and guide owners to remove or cover them before considering chemical treatment.
- Source
- Hillsborough County, FL – Brick-and-Mortar Businesses Can Help Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites
- Published
- 8 October 2026
- Section
- New approaches to insect control
- Main mosquito species
- Aedes aegypti
- Areas to check
- back alleys, loading areas, dumpsters, parking lots
Editorial note: This is a short summary and comment by VPMA, not a full copy. The original text and copyright belong to the source cited. Picture: old buckets, a sink and other items in an alleyway, the photo with the Hillsborough County release.
Source: Hillsborough County, FL – Brick-and-Mortar Businesses Can Help Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites (summarised in English by VPMA). Read the Vietnamese page.