Which of the following is the best practice to reduce mosquito breeding?

Keeping water features clean is the best practice to reduce mosquito breeding because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. By eliminating stagnant water sources or ensuring that water features, such as ponds, bird baths, and gutters, are clean and not breeding grounds, you effectively disrupt the lifecycle of mosquitoes. This proactive approach minimizes the potential for mosquito populations to thrive and prevents future outbreaks, contributing to overall mosquito control.

Using pesticides regularly can help manage existing mosquito populations, but it does not address the root cause of breeding by eliminating standing water. Planting more flowers might attract beneficial insects but does not have a direct impact on mosquito breeding. Similarly, using animal repellents focuses on keeping mosquitoes away from individuals or animals, rather than directly reducing the breeding sites where mosquitoes proliferate. Therefore, maintaining clean water features is the most effective long-term strategy for controlling mosquito populations.