Do you have trouble keeping mosquitoes out of your yard? Did you know there are natural ways to help reduce their populations before they get out of hand? Mosquito control all starts with understanding how mosquitoes live and where they spend most of their time.

Mosquitoes need three primary things to live: standing water, shade, and heat. If you eliminate these things, you’ll find fewer mosquitoes on your property.

Let’s take a look at how mosquitoes live and what you can do about it.

Mosquito Life Cycle

Mosquitoes like to spend their days in cool, damp areas that have some shade. They usually come out to feed at dawn and dusk when the temperatures are cooler.

They can breed in just a tiny amount of water so any water source that you have will need to be monitored. Once water sits for more than a few days you will quickly see increases in mosquito activity.

Remove Standing Water

Eliminating standing water is the first step to controlling mosquitoes. Dump out any water that has pooled in your gutters, plant saucers, buckets, tarps, toys or anything else that could hold water.

Make sure your gutters are cleaned out and that the downspouts are carrying water away from your home. After a rain storm do a quick walk around your yard and dump any water that has accumulated.

Mosquitoes can develop in tiny amounts of water. Empty bottles caps or washed out food containers can fill with rainwater and host mosquito eggs.

Bird baths and water features should be changed every few days or a pump should be used to keep the water moving. If you are unable to change the water you can also add mosquito larvicides to prevent them from developing.

Landscaping

Believe it or not, landscaping can have a huge impact on mosquito control. Bushes, tall grass, and dense foliage give mosquitoes somewhere to rest during the day.

Cut your grass regularly and trim back bushes to limit shaded areas of tall humid vegetation.

Mosquitoes don’t necessarily care what type of plants you have, but you can try to use citronella, lavender, basil, and rosemary near outdoor seating areas.

These plants may help to repel mosquitoes when used in combination with other control methods, but won’t eliminate mosquitoes on their own.

You should also thin out any thick bushes or plants. This will allow air to flow through better, making your yard less attractive to mosquitoes.

Targeted Treatments

If you are unable to drain standing water, try using mosquito dunks or other forms of larvicides. These are safe to use and target the larva before they become a bigger problem.

In heavy pest areas you may want to have barrier treatments applied to foliage and shaded areas. These treatments will kill off mosquitoes over time and help bring your population under control.

If you decide to go this route be sure to work with a trusted mosquito control provider like Vinx Pest Control. They will ensure the treatment is applied safely and in the best locations.

Mechanical Prevention

Mosquitoes are weak flyers so one of the best tools you have are fans. Place a fan around your patio or seating area to create enough air flow that mosquitoes won’t be able to land.

Mosquito traps can help reduce your mosquito population by drawing mosquitoes in and killing them. There are traps that lure mosquitoes in using carbon dioxide or heat.

These make a great supplement to your mosquito control plan but shouldn’t be relied on alone.

Mosquito zappers are practically useless when it comes to controlling mosquitoes. They typically attract insects that you don’t want to swat, then zap.

Personal Prevention

You can reduce your chances of being bitten with some simple precautions. If you will be outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, wear EPA approved mosquito repellent.

You can also wear loosely fitted clothing that covers your arms and legs. You may even want to switch the light bulbs in your outdoor lights to a warm or yellow toned light to avoid attracting mosquitoes.

Prevention

Your prevention methods shouldn’t end when the mosquitoes are gone. Regular maintenance and inspections are the best way to ensure mosquitoes don’t become a problem again.

Your neighbors can affect your mosquito population too. Make sure the surrounding area is just as clean and free of standing water as your yard is.

Conclusion

Mosquito control doesn’t have to be complicated. Remove standing water, clean up your yard, use targeted treatments, and take personal precautions.

Do your best to control mosquitoes on your property and they will become much less of a nuisance!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of mosquitoes in my yard fast?

The fastest way to rid your yard of mosquitoes is to dump out any standing water you have. Follow up with larvicides and outdoor fans for best results.

There will always be mosquitoes in my yard after I clean it up. Why?

There could be hidden sources of water on your property that you aren’t seeing. Gutters, drains, and even toys can hold water. You may also be getting mosquitoes from neighboring properties.

Will mosquito repellent plants really keep mosquitoes away?

Mosquito repellent plants can help to a degree, but won’t control the population of mosquitoes by themselves. Planting them near outdoor seating areas can help however.

Are mosquito sprays safe for kids and pets?

When used as directed, most EPA approved sprays are safe for kids and pets. Always read the instructions before using any mosquito treatment product.

Should I hire a professional pest control service?

If you find that mosquitoes are prevalent year-round or you have multiple areas of standing water on your property, you may benefit from regular mosquito control treatments from your local mosquito control provider.