Sri Lanka is facing its worst dengue outbreak in nearly a decade, with hospitals under immense pressure as infections continue to surge. According to media reports, the country has reported more than 77,000 dengue cases and 56 deaths so far this year, with over a quarter of the infections recorded in July alone.
To tackle the crisis, authorities have even deployed military drones to identify stagnant water on rooftops and other hard-to-spot mosquito breeding sites.
While the outbreak is centred in Sri Lanka, it serves as an important reminder for everyone living in tropical and monsoon-prone regions. The mosquito that spreads dengue—Aedes aegypti—often breeds in clean, stagnant water found in and around homes. The good news? Most breeding sites can be eliminated with simple precautions.
Here are 10 everyday mistakes that could unknowingly invite dengue mosquitoes into your home.
1. Letting Water Collect In Plant Pots
Flower pots and the trays placed underneath them can hold rainwater for days, creating the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Empty and scrub them regularly, especially during the monsoon.
2. Ignoring Rooftops And Terrace Corners
Sri Lanka’s use of drones highlights a problem many homeowners overlook—rooftops. Clogged drains, unused containers and low-lying corners on terraces can collect water after rainfall and remain unnoticed for weeks.
3. Leaving Buckets And Containers Uncovered
Water stored in buckets, drums or tanks should always be tightly covered. Even a small amount of standing water is enough for Aedes mosquitoes to lay eggs.
4. Forgetting To Clean AC And Refrigerator Drain Trays
Air conditioners and refrigerators often collect condensation. If these trays are not emptied and cleaned regularly, they can become hidden mosquito breeding spots.
5. Allowing Drains And Gutters To Get Blocked
Leaves, dirt and debris can clog drains, trapping rainwater. Cleaning gutters and outdoor drains frequently helps prevent stagnant water from accumulating.
6. Storing Old Tyres And Junk Outdoors
Unused tyres, bottles, cans, broken buckets and discarded containers can easily fill with rainwater. Dispose of them responsibly or keep them covered and dry.
7. Changing Flower Vase Water Too Infrequently
Fresh flowers brighten a room, but the water in vases should be replaced every couple of days. Wash the vase thoroughly before refilling it.
8. Overlooking Pet Bowls And Bird Baths
Water bowls for pets and bird baths should be cleaned and refilled daily. Mosquitoes can breed in surprisingly small quantities of water.
9. Assuming Mosquitoes Breed Only In Dirty Water
One of the biggest misconceptions is that dengue mosquitoes breed only in dirty drains. In reality, Aedes mosquitoes prefer clean, stagnant water, making household containers a far greater risk than many people realise. Health agencies worldwide consistently advise eliminating standing water as the most effective preventive measure.
10. Fogging Kills Adult Mosquitoes, Not Their Breeding Grounds
Fogging helps reduce adult mosquito populations but does not eliminate eggs or larvae hidden in water containers. The most effective defence is checking your home and surroundings every week to remove potential breeding sites. Sri Lanka’s ongoing clean-up drives underscore the importance of community participation in controlling dengue.
How To Protect Yourself From Dengue
Besides removing stagnant water, experts recommend:
Seek medical attention promptly if you develop a high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting or a rash.
Common hidden dengue breeding spots include condensation trays from air conditioners and refrigerators if not emptied regularly. Other overlooked areas include plant saucers and trays, hollow tree stumps, and forgotten trash or recycling bins.
Sri Lanka is using air force drones to identify stagnant water on rooftops and other mosquito breeding grounds as part of efforts to combat its worst dengue outbreak in a decade. These drones assist in tracking potential breeding sites.
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