MAHONING COUNTY, Ohio - In the aftermath of recent heavy rains and flooding comes advice from the District Board of Health.  It concerns protecting your family from mosquito breeding grounds.

Health officials say mosquitoes need water to develop. And the first step in preventing mosquitoes from developing is to take a walk around your property and drain or remove standing water. 

"Clean out your drains, if you have any standing water in your drains that's a perfect spot for mosquitoes to breed,  any toys that are outside toys that are sitting in the yard holding water you want to toss that out as well, as well as your flower pots," said Ryan Tekac, Director of the Environmental Health Division. 

Tekac says to follow the three D's. Drain standing water, Dress in light colored loose clothing and Defend with an EPA approved skin product.

You can also prevent mosquito development with a larvicide product such as Mosquito Dunks available at home supply stores. 

Mosquito Dunks can be used anywhere standing water accumulates such as bird baths, or where the water won't drain.

Mosquitoes can transmit a variety of diseases including West Niles and Zika virus..
"West Nile virus is common in Ohio, but we haven't found any of the mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus," Tekac said. 

The health department will continue to trap and test mosquitoes to guard against disease. 
  
Tekac says a community-wide effort following these guidelines will help reduce the mosquito population this summer.