Controlling Mosquitoes: The Complete Step By Step Guide

Nothing ruins your time outdoors more than a swarm of bloodthirsty mosquitoes.  Not only are they a nuisance to you, your family, and pets, mosquitoes can also transmit various diseases.

We’ll provide you with a complete step by step guide to controlling mosquitoes and taking back your yard. Add in some extra precautions, like using the proper repellents, and you can minimize your chances of getting bit even further.

Best Practices for Outdoor Mosquito Control

Like the old saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. A comprehensive plan of action will help reduce the mosquito population around your home. Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) considers mosquito biology, their life cycles, preferred habitats, and feeding habits. It uses methods that, when followed correctly, are safe and have been proven to reduce mosquito populations. 

IMM can be even more effective when practiced by others in your surrounding area. So, try to get your neighbors involved in your plans to eradicate mosquitoes. Keep reading for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you become mosquito free this summer.

Step 1:  Limit Mosquito Breeding Habitat

All mosquitoes require water to breed. Adult mosquitoes will lay their eggs in stagnant or slow moving water or in other moist areas likely to collect water. By eliminating these water sources, you can break up the breeding cycle and prevent new generations of mosquitoes from making themselves at home in your yard. Aedes albopictus aka the Asian Tiger Mosquito and the carrier of the Zika virus is notorious for finding small and inconspicuous sources of water around homes for laying their eggs.

How to eliminate water sources that mosquitoes breed in:

• Inspect your gutters for clogs and remove any wet leaves. Make sure your downspouts drain properly and don’t create areas that allow water to collect. If you use the flexible corrugated extensions, consider replacing them, or make sure water is not collecting in them after it rains.
• Walk your property after it rains and look for any ruts or low spots that hold water. If puddles remain for 3-4 days, consider re-grading or filling them in.
• Birdbaths should be cleaned and refilled with fresh water every 2-3 days to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Consider using mosquito dunks for a longer prevention time.
• Keep your hot tub or swimming pool clean and chlorinated even when not in use. If you utilize a pool cover, make sure it is not holding water. Determine if there are vacant homes with pools in your neighborhood, contact your local building inspector to ensure that the pools are emptied and/or treated to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
• Check around the drain pipe of your air conditioning unit to make sure there is no standing water or consistently moist areas. If you notice standing water, create proper drainage.
• Be sure to drill holes on the bottom of any garbage can or recycling container stored outdoors to allow water to drain.
• After it rains, dump anything that holds water such as wading pools, kids’ toys, sandboxes, pool covers, tarps, grill covers, boat covers, wheelbarrows, flower pots or window boxes that don’t drain properly. Any of these will attract breeding mosquitoes. Empty the saucers under your flowerpots after each watering and change your pet’s water bowls frequently.
• Review your property for any items that could hold water such as old tires, buckets, empty bottles, or cans, and remove them from the yard.
• Check your trees for knotholes that could hold water and fill them in with a foam sealant.
• If you have a septic tank, repair any cracks or gaps. Cover any open vent or plumbing pipes with screen smaller than an adult mosquito.

Step 2:  Eliminate Mosquito Larvae

If you’ve found that mosquitoes have already been successful in breeding and laying eggs, or you have water sources that can’t be drained, there are some solutions to eliminate the pests in the larvae and pupae stages. You can utilize a larvicide called Bti (commonly called mosquito dunks, which are available in granule or donut form) to kill the hatched larvae. The EPA provides good information about using Bti for controlling mosquitoes.

Steps to prevent mosquito larvae from hatching:

• Ornamental ponds should be aerated if possible. Moving water discourages mosquitoes from laying eggs. You can also stock the pond with the mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis). These little fish gobble up mosquito eggs and larvae like popcorn. Just be sure they are allowed in your area, as they are considered an invasive species in some areas.
• When collecting water in a rain barrel, be sure to screen the top of the barrel or apply Bti (mosquito dunks). You can also add a few drops of cooking oil to the water supply every week or so: the oil covers the surface of the water, keeping the mosquito larvae from breathing.
• If you live in a tropical area, check any tank bromeliads that you may have in your landscape. You can put several drops of vegetable oil in the water  or you can use mosquito dunks in granule form to kill larvae. You can also flush the tank with a heavy spray of water once or twice a week. Likewise be sure to check any tree knots that hold water for presence of larvae.
• Once mosquitoes reach the pupae stage of development, they stop feeding and Bti is less effective. To eliminate mosquitoes at this stage, introduce vegetable oil to the standing water the pupae are in. The oil forms a coating on the surface of the water and prevents the pupae from breathing.

Step 3:  Controlling Mosquitoes at the Adult Phase

Once you’ve eliminated the potential breeding sites for mosquitoes, it’s time to wage war on the adult population of mosquitoes lurking around your home. It’s important to eliminate the mosquito population at this stage in order to disrupt their breeding cycle and reduce future generations from multiplying.

Landscaping tips for backyard mosquito control

When they are not seeking you out a quick snack, mosquitoes like to rest and hide in shady areas around shrubs and in other vegetation. Make your yard less inviting to mosquitoes by keeping grass mowed on a regular basis. Prune shrubs and trees to allow more sunlight to penetrate shady areas. Keep shrubs around your home neatly trimmed to reduce hiding spots for the skeeters.

You can also plant fragrant annuals, perennials, or herbs in your landscape or in patio containers to discourage the winged devils from taking up residence around your home. While these plants won’t eliminate or totally repel mosquitoes, the insects will find plants like eucalyptus, rosemary, lemongrass, marigolds, lemon balm, lavender, garlic, and mint less appealing to land and take shelter on. That might be enough for them to eye your neighbor’s yard as the place to be.

Using insecticides for outdoor mosquito control

Perhaps one of the most effective ways to eliminate the adult mosquitoes around your home and yard is by using appropriate insecticides. You’ll have several options available to you, from ready to use hose-end sprayers, to products you’ll have to mix yourself and apply with fogging machines or sprayers.

The insecticides used for DIY mosquito spraying are typically synthetic pyrethroids, permethrin based or bifenthrin based. They all act by disrupting the insects’ nervous systems causing paralysis and death. 

Let’s look at the various options for applying the insecticides for controlling mosquitoes.

Hose end sprayers  

As the name implies, you attach these products to the end of your hose. The built-in sprayer mixes the concentrated insecticide with water. There’s no mixing or figuring out the right percentages of water to chemicals; simply shake the container well, attach the sprayer to your garden hose and turn on the water. Target mosquito prone areas around your yard (typically cool, damp and shady areas such as under decks, plantings around your homes foundation, low hanging tree branches, shrubs, areas with tall grasses and wood piles).  Point the nozzle toward the area you wish to spray and turn the knob to the dispense position. Spray the area until you cover all leaf surfaces and branches. 

Popular and effective products include Cutter Backyard Bug Control and Off! Backyard Pretreat. These products will kill on contact and leave a film of insecticide on surfaces that will also kill mosquitoes for up to 8 to 12 weeks after application (depending on weather conditions). Depending upon bottle size and percentage of insecticide, these products can cover up to 16,000 square feet. These insecticides also control other pests such as ticks, fleas, chinch bugs, beetles, grubs and dozens of others.

Aerosol foggers

Both the Cutter Backyard Bug Control and Off! Backyard Pretreat also come in an aerosol fogger version which comes in handy for applications prior to outdoor events. These type of applications typically provide protection for 6 hours in a much smaller area. The cost per use is typically higher, and results are generally less effective than other options, but they are easy to use.

Organic options for controlling mosquitoes

For those of you who prefer not to use synthetic insecticides for controlling mosquitoes, there are some effective organic and natural ingredient-based mosquito killers and repellents. EcoSmart Organic Mosquito & Tick Spray is a good option, as it comes in both a hose-end option or an aerosol fogger and doesn’t have the chemical smell that other sprays have.

There are also garlic-based sprays that are said to act as a repellent barrier when sprayed on foliage. The smell of the garlic is reported to be obnoxious to mosquitoes and sends them packing. These are generally non-toxic to beneficial insects in the yard.

Pump sprayers

The typical pump-up sprayer or backpack sprayer can also be utilized as a vehicle to spray insecticides to control mosquitoes. It’s recommended that you devote a sprayer for this use, so you don’t inadvertently spray weed killer or other chemicals on your plants when attempting to spray for insects. A good combination package with organic based mosquito killer and a dedicated pump sprayer is the Mosquito Magician.

Additionally, you’ll need to mix your insecticides according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Pump sprayers are convenient to use, but like hose-end sprayers, they are good for coating the easy to reach surfaces of plants. This means they don’t create a fine enough mist to get into all the areas where mosquitoes hide.

Insect foggers 

Insect foggers are a great tool for the homeowner to use for backyard mosquito control. As their name implies, foggers emit very fine droplets of insecticides that hang in the air like a fog. They are more effective than hose-end or aerosol type sprays because they disperse the insecticides in much smaller particles that hang in the air longer to attach to flying insects. This wide distribution means they can better penetrate the dense vegetation where mosquitoes like to hide.

The most common type of fogger is the thermal fogger, which utilizes propane or electricity to heat a base oil that converts the insecticide into a smoke or fog. These foggers can be found at hardware stores, home centers or online retailers. Propane type foggers are usually easier to use due to their portability. Their downside is that they do require small propane tanks to operate, and you’ll need to keep several on hand.

Both the propane and electric models utilize a DIY type oil-based insecticide specifically formulated for use in these type foggers. They are typically pre-mixed and ready-to-use, which makes them convenient. 

For areas larger than 1 acre you might want to consider a gas-powered backpack fogger. These foggers are effective at putting down pesticides over larger areas.

The other type of fogger is the cold fogger or ULV (ultra-low volume) fogger. These foggers utilize high pressure to create the fog/mist. Their main advantage is that they can create a much finer fog that can reach more areas. They are more efficient in using insecticide and can use either oil or water-based insecticides (giving you more options). These foggers can also utilize professional grade insecticides which will give you better results and target multiple insect pests. They are often sold in concentrated formulas which can save you money but will require mixing.

Safety Precautions When Spraying for Mosquitoes

• Always read the product label first and follow the directions to the letter, including all precautions and restrictions.
• Don’t overuse pesticides. Twice as much doesn’t mean twice as effective.
• At minimum, wear long pants and long sleeve shirts and utilize eye protection, gloves and breathing protection when applying chemicals. Consider special clothing when applying pesticides. Change clothes and always wash your hands after using pesticides.
• Before applying a pesticide, make sure the area is clear of  children, toys and pets; keep them away until the pesticide has dried, or as recommended by the label.
• Don’t spray outdoors on windy or rainy days. Take precautions to keep the pesticide from drifting or running off into the vegetable garden, pool, or neighbor’s yard.

In case of emergency, be sure to contact a professional and be prepared by reading first aid tips provided by the EPA.  

Professional services for backyard mosquito control

If you don’t have the time or the comfort level of working with insecticides there are various professional mosquito control services in the marketplace today. Companies like Mosquito Authority, Mosquito Squad or Mosquito Joe specialize in mosquito control. They can assess your situation and provide a treatment plan based on your needs. Most local pest extermination companies also offer mosquito control as part of their services.

Misting systems to defeat mosquitoes

Another option  for controlling mosquitoes is a misting system. As the name implies, these systems emit a mist for 30 to 60 seconds, up to 2 to 4 times a day, which kills any mosquitoes in proximity and provides a protective repellent barrier. After the initial install these systems can operate on autopilot on a set schedule allowing you more free time in the yard or patio.

You can have these systems professionally installed and managed, or if you are so inclined, you can get a DIY kit to install and maintain yourself. Both synthetic insecticides or natural-ingredient based killers or repellents can be utilized.

A company that specializes in helping you design a DIY system is Mosquito Mister. Drawbacks to misting systems are that they do require regular maintenance and can be expensive depending on the size of the coverage area.

There are also various options outside of using chemicals for controlling mosquitoes in your yard.  Some more effective than others.

Mosquito traps

Mosquito traps are devices designed to lure mosquitoes to a location, trap them and kill them. Traps can range from expensive high-tech devices to low tech and cheap devices made with common household items. The more advanced traps, called CO2 traps, use electricity and propane to generate heat and carbon dioxide, which the mosquito associates with her next meal. These traps can be quite sophisticated in their ways of luring and trapping mosquitoes. They typically also use a chemical attractant to lure mosquitoes to the trap.   

Once within range, the mosquitoes are sucked into the trap, where they are collected in a basket and die. Popular and effective CO2 traps include the Mosquito Magnet and the Mega-Catch brands.

Advantages of using a CO2 mosquito trap

• You can set these traps out and they will work around the clock killing mosquitoes.
• Traps can be moved around the yard to secure optimal placement for taking care of your mosquito infestation.
• They can cover large areas up to 1.5 acres, depending upon the size of the trap.
• Traps don’t use any insecticides or harmful chemicals.
• They attract and kill other winged pests like black flies, no-see-ums, moths and Japanese beetles.

Disadvantages of CO2 mosquito traps

• Can be relatively expensive.
• Requires an electrical source for power and a supply of propane tanks.
• They need regular maintenance to keep clean and working properly.

Ultraviolet light mosquito traps

Other types of traps utilize ultraviolet light and heat to attract and kill the mosquitoes. Dyna-Trap is an example of this kind of trap. Ultraviolet light is used to stimulate body heat and the heat of the light also warms organic material on the trap which simulates carbon dioxide. The mosquito is drawn to the light where a fan sucks the mosquito into a catch basket where it dies. 

Adding a chemical attractant will make the trap more effective. These traps differ from the traditional bug zappers found hanging around in backyards everywhere. They typically are more effective in luring and trapping mosquitoes without the dangers of electrical zaps and exploding bug guts flying everywhere.

 Advantages of ultraviolet light mosquito traps

• Simple to use.
• More effective than traditional “bug zappers”.   
• These traps can cover large areas up to 1 acre or more depending upon the size of the trap.
• They don’t use any insecticides or harmful chemicals.
• They also attract and kill other winged pests like black flies, no-see-ums, moths and Japanese beetles.

Disadvantages of ultraviolet light mosquito traps

• Needs an electrical source for power.
• Requires regular maintenance to keep clean and working properly.

Biological mosquito traps

The final type of mosquito trap is the biological trap. These traps don’t require any electricity or propane to entice and kill mosquitoes. Scientists often use these types of traps to collect and count mosquitoes for studies. These traps are usually portable, easy to use, and effective. The homeowner can make these with common household items or they can use various commercially available traps. 

There are two kind of biological traps. The first utilizes scents to lure the mosquitoes into the trap thinking she has found a blood meal.

The second type of trap works by luring the mosquito into a confined area that the mosquito finds attractive for laying her eggs. Once inside the device, she becomes trapped and dies, and any eggs she laid will also be eradicated.

A huge benefit to biological traps is that they only target mosquitoes. Beneficial insects are not attracted to these types of traps.

  Traps should be an important part of your mosquito control efforts.  They not only reduce the adult population of mosquitoes furthermore they also disrupt the mosquito breeding process.

Buzz

Bug zappers

Zappers have long been a staple weapon in backyard bug warfare, but unfortunately, multiple studies have shown that they are not terribly effective in controlling mosquitoes. We explore this in more detail in our article Do Bug Zappers Work?

Natural born killers 

While birds and bats do eat mosquitoes as part of their diet, they don’t do in so in enough numbers to be an effective method for backyard mosquito control. However, we still recommend adding some bird houses and bat houses, as they make great additions to your garden ecosystem. These are also helpful to support the populations of these species, as both birds and bats are seeing a decline in their habitats.

 Step 4:  Personal Protection Against Mosquitoes

• Check your doors and screens. They should be free of any holes and fit snugly.  If you are in and out throughout the day, consider installing one of the various magnetic screen doors available on the market. Make sure your pet doors close tightly. Consider spraying your screens with Permethrin for an added layer of protection.
• If you spend a lot of time outdoors, consider screening in your patio or deck.  A less expensive option would be a portable gazebo with mosquito netting. You can also use mosquito netting over your patio umbrella.
• Replace your outdoor light bulbs with yellow “bug” lights.  While these bulbs don’t repel bugs, they are less attractive to mosquitoes and other flying pests. Research has shown that yellow LED lights are even more effective than regular yellow bulbs at not bringing all the bugs to your yard.
• A low cost, effective way to keep mosquitoes at bay is to use a box fan or oscillating fan to provide a stiff breeze when you’re outside on your deck or patio. The breeze keeps you cool and provides more than enough wind to keep mosquitoes from being able to land and feast on you.
• If possible, avoid working in your yard during early morning or early evening hours. This is when mosquitoes are most active. If it can’t be avoided, wear light colored and loose-fitting clothes as well as  long sleeve shirts and long pants. Another alternative is to treat your clothing with a product called permethrin, which acts as a repellent. An excellent source for clothing already pre-treated with permethrin is company called Ex-Officio. They have a good selection of travel clothes that are pre-treated to repel bugs and have UV inhibitors to prevent sun exposure.
• When you are outside, use an EPA-approved repellent with active ingredients recommended by the CDC. These include DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus and Picaridin-based repellents. If you are wary of using DEET based repellents, you can find alternative options here.
• Consider using a personal repellent appliance like ones made by ThermaCell or Off. These devices are usually powered by butane or batteries and emit a repellent that creates a zone that confuses the mosquito and makes the wearer practically invisible to the mosquito. These are great for working in the yard or relaxing on the patio.
• If you’re outside in the evening, you can use citronella incense, citronella candles or torches for some mosquito control. The smoke from the citronella oil will help hide your scent from the mosquitoes but typically isn’t as effective as personal repellents and sprays.
• Don’t waste your time utilizing ultrasonic buzzers that are supposed to scare off mosquitoes. Studies have shown that they are ineffective. For more folklore and false claims for controlling mosquitoes read our article Mosquito Control Myths.

The bottom line

Consequently by following these steps, you can significantly reduce the mosquito population around your home and enjoy a bite-free summer. Be sure to share these tips for controlling mosquitoes with your neighbors, and together you can make your entire neighborhood mosquito-free.

If you are having issues with mosquitoes inside your home you might want to read our article How To Get Rid of Mosquitoes Indoors.