Mosquitoes can breed in the stagnant water collected in cemetery vases. But the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District has come up with a way to prevent that. 

District spokeswoman Luz Maria Rodriguez says they fill those vases with special water crystals. 

“They basically turn into a gel and they prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs and at the same time they keep flowers fresh. So we want to get the cooperation from the public so that they don’t dump out the crystals because they’re there to prevent you against mosquitoes and West Nile Virus.”  

The district is working with 30 cemeteries in the region. 

So far, mosquito control officials say they haven’t detected any West Nile virus activity in the Sacramento area this year.

However, several Northern California counties have reported activity including San Joaquin and Contra Costa.