with the Island's least-wanted visitors, mosquitoes.

Noting that warmer temperatures and fresh water from recent above-average rainfall made ideal breeding conditions for the pests, the department urged the public to: Rid their property of open fresh water by discarding old tyres, cans, and bottles, and covering trash containers and other objects which hold water; Turn boats which are not in the water upside down or leave the drains unplugged; Remove any vegetation from ponds and stock them with guppies which are available from the department's Pest Control Unit; Check the gutters of the roof every once in a while to ensure that they are free of debris; and Ensure that tank overflow is tightly screened.

The department also reminded those with construction work around their houses to keep an oily film on the surface of any barrel water by occasionally adding machine oil, and to make sure that any standing puddles or soggy areas are filled with debris.

"We want to remind Bermudians once again that there are a number of simple, inexpensive and pesticide-free ways of keeping these annoying little pests away,'' they added.

"And we also want to remind Bermudians that although we are free from mosquitoes which carry disease, they do have the potential to carry some diseases from one person to another, which is a good reason to play our part in getting rid of them.''