Tip out the standing water breeding mosquitoes on an East St. Louis block (2026-07-18)

East St. Louis floods and drains poorly, and every tire, bucket, and clogged gutter holding a week of stormwater breeds the mosquitoes that make summers miserable and carry disease risk. Emptying and removing the small containers block by block is proven source control anyone can do. Standard: CDC West Nile virus source-reduction guidance; SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being. Proof: Before/after source photos plus a fixed-source log Method (CDC West Nile virus source-reduction guidance; SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being.): 1. Walk the block and find every small container holding standing water in public space and invited yards. 2. Tip out, drill drain holes in, or remove each container; bag removable junk for pickup. 3. Clear clogged surface drain grates of leaf mats by hand and rake. 4. Log each source fixed by type. 5. Photograph representative sources before and after with GPS and date on. Done when: Before/after source photos plus a fixed-source log

Where

Public block and host-invited yards, Summit Avenue area, East St. Louis, IL 62205

Pay

$80 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Before/after source photos plus a fixed-source log

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-08-17

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 30–90 minutes. Method of record: CDC/EPA integrated mosquito-management source-reduction practice -- property-level standing-water survey and elimination to cut mosquito-borne disease risk (West Nile, dengue, Zika) in humid Gulf/Southeast climates. CDC Guidelines for Mosquito Surveillance and Vector Control + EPA integrated pest management. Homeowner/occupant-safe hand-tool work; only an EPA-registered minimum-risk biological (Bti) product is ever used, never a synthetic pesticide.

Bring

• camera
• gloves
• bucket/container for disposal
• rake or grabber tool for surface debris
• EPA-registered Bti mosquito dunk (for spots that can't be drained)
• tape measure or simple site-map sheet

Steps

1. 1. Walk the property's perimeter and yard systematically, checking containers, low grading, clogged gutters visible from the ground, tarps, and plant saucers for standing water; photograph each spot found.
2. 2. Sketch or mark a simple site map noting each spot's location and whether water is present now or pools after rain.
3. 3. Empty, tip, or drain every spot that can be emptied by hand; clear surface debris blocking drainage at low-ground spots.
4. 4. For any spot that cannot be drained (a fixture, rain barrel, ornamental pond), treat only with an EPA-registered minimum-risk biological mosquito dunk (Bti) per the product label -- never a synthetic pesticide.
5. 5. Photograph every spot after action and log which method (emptied/drained/Bti-treated) was used per spot; hand the summary to the owner.

If it does not match the plan

• Any water deeper than ankle height, or a spot requiring roof/gutter access above 6 ft -> STOP: document and route to the appropriate crew (gutter clearing, licensed pro) rather than enter it.
• Only an EPA-registered minimum-risk biological (Bti) product may be applied; any other chemical control routes to a licensed pest-control operator.
• A spot suspected of feeding a larger drainage or plumbing problem (persistent standing water with no clear source) -> document and route to a property-maintenance follow-on job rather than treat repeatedly.

What counts as done

• Before/after photo pairs for every standing-water spot found
• Every emptyable spot confirmed emptied or draining freely
• Any Bti treatment confirmed as an EPA-registered minimum-risk biological product, per label rate
• Site map or spot log delivered to the owner

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.