In 1992, in neighbourhoods in the south-east of Neiva, the Aedes aegypti larval infestation index in homes was 22.5%. Laundry tubs (albercas) were tested in 33 homes from June to September 1993. The time taken by the vector to colonise and to develop as far as its pupal stage was measured. A. aegypti took two days to colonise albercas areas and developed to its aquatic stage in them in seven, averages which therefore suggest that laundry tubs should be cleaned and washed out every nine days on average as a measure of anti-vectorial control. Some of the tubs characteristics and their relationship to colonisation time and the vector's development to aquatic phase were correlated.