Why It Matters

Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying—they can carry serious health risks like West Nile virus, encephalitis, dengue, malaria, and dog heartworm. That’s why the City of Kirkwood partners with St. Louis County Vector Control to reduce mosquito populations and limit the spread of vector-borne diseases in public spaces.

From ditches to storm sewers and retention ponds, trained professionals monitor and treat breeding sites before mosquitoes become a widespread problem.

But mosquito control starts at home—and you play an important role.

What the City Does

Kirkwood contracts with St. Louis County Vector Control to manage mosquitoes in public areas. Their team monitors mosquito activity, tracks population levels, and applies targeted treatments when needed.

To report excessive mosquito activity or a suspected breeding site near your home:

📞 Call 314-615-0680
📆 Please call by 3:00 p.m. on Thursdays for timely treatment.

To hear where mosquito spraying will occur each night:
📞 Call 314-615-4284 (615-4BUG) between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. for a recorded update.
🌇 Spraying typically begins at sunset.

See Spray Area Map »

What You Can Do

Mosquitoes only need a small amount of standing water to breed—and they can do it in just 7 days. Here are some quick and effective ways to mosquito-proof your property:

🧼 Eliminate Standing Water

• Empty flowerpots, toys, pet dishes, birdbaths, and buckets

• Drain unused pools or treat with Bti or a capful of cooking oil

• Store boats, canoes, and wheelbarrows upside down

• Clear clogged gutters and drains

🧯 Prevent Hidden Breeding Spots

• Fill tree holes with sand

• Repair leaky outdoor faucets and irrigation systems

• Cover or remove unused containers that collect rainwater

• Clean roof gutters regularly

🌿 Maintain Your Yard

• Keep grass and shrubs trimmed

• Spray vegetation with EPA-approved mosquito repellents

• Choose yellow outdoor lights (less attractive to insects)

• Consider installing a UV bug zapper in outdoor areas

• Add a Purple Martin house—these birds love to snack on mosquitoes!

Want to Spray Your Own Yard?

Homeowners may use over-the-counter mosquito control products, available at most garden centers. Be sure to:

✔ Choose a product registered by the EPA
✔ Follow all label instructions
✔ Focus on spraying vegetation where mosquitoes hide from sunlight

Need help selecting the right product? Ask your local retailer or a licensed pest control company for guidance.

Report a Concern

If you believe a property is attracting or harboring pests, please let us know.

📞 Call: 314-822-5805 or 314-984-5944
📧 Email: code@kirkwoodmo.org
📱 Use the KirkwoodKonnect mobile app, available in your app store

We’re Here to Help

Our team doesn’t just enforce the rules—we work with property owners to educate, inspect, and follow up. Together, we can keep Kirkwood healthy, safe, and pest-free.

Contact Code Enforcement »

More Vector & Disease Information 

Vector & Mosquito control services are important in protecting the public from vector-borne diseases. Mosquitoes continue to be a problem in our area each year. Not only are mosquitoes a summer nuisance, they also pose a potential health threat as they can transmit such mosquito-borne diseases as West Nile Virus, encephalitis, dengue, malaria and dog heartworm.

Kirkwood presently contracts with the St. Louis County Vector Control Program to address mosquito problems in public areas such as; ditches, retention ponds, storm sewers, etc. Since prevention is very important in mosquito control, treatment of mosquito. breeding sites is a high priority. Vector Control begins with the monitoring for mosquitoes to determine the presents and their abundance. This information is used to develop an action plan for vector control efforts. Residents are encouraged to contact Vector Control directly at 314-615-0680 to report an overabundance of mosquitoes or suspected breeding sites in their area. 

Before contacting St. Louis County please try one or more of the following mitigating strategies:

• Drain any standing water in your yard such as in toys, flower pots, or ponding in the yard.
• Use Yellow bulbs for your outside lights, as they do not draw as many insects as white lights.
• Use a UV black light "bug zapper" in high use areas.
• Purple Martins feed on mosquitoes, so if you are a bird lover, a Purple Martin bird house will help with this problem.

Calls must be received by 3pm Thursday each week to ensure the potential mosquito breeding site is treated in a timely manner.

If you are experiencing problems with mice, rats or rodents please contact Code Enforcement Officer Kathy Hawkins at hawkinkg@kirkwoodmo.org or 314-822-5805. 

If you are interested in seeing what general section of the county is sprayed for mosquitoes on a particular night of the week, click here. If you would like to hear specific information listing where spraying will occur tonight, call 314- 615-4284 (615-4BUG). A recorded message is updated daily between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Spraying begins at sunset.

Mosquito Reduction Tips

Each of us can do our part to help reduce the number of mosquitoes in our area. The items listed below identify actions we can do as a community to reduce the mosquito population. Here are tips to reduce mosquitoes in your yard:

• Keep pools filtrated, unused pools should be drained, taken down or treated with Bti altosid or a home remedy by pouring a capful of common cooking oil on the surface of the water.
• Properly discard old tires, tin cans, buckets, pots, drums, and other containers, or store them so they don't collect water.
• Cover or store boats, canoe, and wheelbarrows upside down when not in use.
• Empty your small plastic wading pool and birdbath weekly.
• Empty and refill pet water dishes daily.
• Change water and rinse ornamental containers holding plants once a week.
• Fill holes in trees with sand.
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets. Don't let storm water runoff accumulate.
• Clean clogged roof gutters and drain flat roofs.

Mosquitoes develop only in water. Water standing for over 1 week can produce a crop of mosquitoes. If you wish to spray your yard to control mosquitoes, your local hardware store can recommend insecticides or natural repellents that are effective and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency

Residents may also spray or contact a pest control company to spray for mosquitoes on their property. Residents wishing to do their own spraying may purchase any of the many registered products at their home and garden center. You should take the time to consult with your provider to assure the product selected best meets your application needs. Generally these products are sprayed on your vegetation leaving a residue. When mosquitoes hide in the vegetation from sun light they come in contact with the chemical resulting in their elimination. Always purchase an EPA registered product following the manufacturer's directions for specific applications.