Mosquitoes can turn spending time in your yard into a nightmare. So, how do you get rid of mosquitoes in your yard? Follow a few simple prevention and eradication steps — or call in mosquito control pros when your DIY efforts aren’t working.
5 ways to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard (and keep them away)
Minimize the annoyance and health risks of these biting pests with these 5 mosquito control methods:
1. Eliminate breeding sites
One of the most effective ways to reduce mosquito populations in your yard is to eliminate their breeding sites. Mosquitoes require standing water to lay their eggs and complete their life cycle. Here’s how to reduce their breeding sites:
- Remove standing water: Inspect your yard for containers like buckets, flower pots, birdbaths, or other objects that collect and hold rainwater. Empty them and store them away from the elements.
- Clean out your gutters: Clogged gutters and drains trap water, providing an ideal breeding site for mosquitoes. Keep your gutters clean and ensure proper drainage.
- Repair faucet and sprinkler leaks ASAP: Fix leaks, dripping outdoor faucets, or broken sprinkler heads as soon as possible to avoid puddles in your yard. Remember, mosquitoes can lay their eggs in the tiniest of water sources – as small as a bottle cap.
- Regularly empty and replace water in fountains, birdbaths, and pet bowls: If you have ornamental water features like birdbaths or fountains, clean and replace the water several times per week. Similarly, replace the water in outdoor pet bowls daily. You also can consider adding Mosquito Dunks to your water features to prevent larvae development.
- Maintain swimming pools: A well-maintained and properly chlorinated swimming pool prevents mosquitoes from breeding in the water.
- Cover rain barrels and trash cans: Use lids or covers for rain barrels and outdoor trash cans.
- Fill tree holes and voids: Some tree species have cavities that hold water. Fill these voids or opt for professional tree removal services to eliminate mosquito breeding sites from your property.
2. Use natural mosquito control methods
Eco-friendly and natural approaches to mosquito and pest control are all the rage. There are several strategies that can help reduce mosquito populations in your yard, including:
Plant mosquito-repellent plants
Plant mosquito-repelling herbs and flowers in your garden beds and pots or containers around your outdoor areas. Options include:
- American beautyberry (photo above)
- Basil
- Bee balm
- Catnip
- Citronella
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Marigolds
Pro Tip: Many of these plants do double duty repelling fleas and ticks (in addition to mosquitoe).
Attract natural mosquito predators to your yard
Encourage natural mosquito predators to inhabit your yard. This creates a balanced ecosystem. Natural predators include:
- Birds (swallows and purple martins)
- Bats
- Dragonflies
Minimize artificial light
Mosquitoes are attracted to light. Consider switching your outdoor bulbs to yellow LED lights which are less attractive to mosquitoes. You also can opt to use motion-activated or timed lighting to reduce exposure.
3. Apply chemical solutions
Sometimes natural methods aren’t enough for sufficient mosquito control. Chemical solutions like pesticides can reduce mosquito populations effectively, and these approaches often offer rapid relief. Consider the following strategies:
- Broad-spectrum insecticides: Consider spraying broad-spectrum insecticides. These products control a variety of insects, including mosquitoes. However, they can also harm beneficial insects like pollinators, so use broad-spectrum insecticides sparingly.
- Foggers: Mosquito foggers and misting systems disperse insecticides across your yard. Foggers and misting systems provide temporary relief for occasions like outdoor barbecues and weddings.
- Larvicides: Treat breeding sites. Apply larvicides to standing water sources.
4. Maintain your yard to deter mosquitoes
Effective landscape maintenance plays an important role in reducing mosquitoes in your yard. Minimize mosquito populations, breeding sites, and resting areas with the following care practices:
- Mow regularly: Keep your lawn well-manicured by mowing regularly. Mosquitoes rest in tall grass and overgrown vegetation during the day. Shorter grass heights make your yard less appealing.
- Dethatch: Dethatching involves removing the layer of dead grass and organic matter that accumulate on the soil’s surface. This layer holds moisture, creating favorable conditions for mosquito breeding. Dethatching your lawn can reduce the excess moisture and breeding sites.
- Prune vegetation: Trim and prune shrubs and trees to allow better air circulation and sunlight penetration. Well-maintained vegetation enhances the aesthetics of your yard and also reduces shaded areas where mosquitoes hide.
- Clear debris: Remove fallen leaves, branches, and other yard debris. These materials provide hiding spots for mosquitoes.
By incorporating these care practices into your routine, you can actively reduce mosquito breeding sites and create an environment that is less attractive to the itchy pests.
5. Rely on professional mosquito control
While DIY methods can be effective for managing mosquitoes in your yard, large properties in locations with ideal conditions may require professional help. Pest control professionals have the knowledge, expertise, and tools to address your infestation and tailor solutions to your needs.
Lawn Love now offers mosquito control services for lawn care customers. You can learn more by calling 800-706-4117
Pro Tip: Many pest control companies specialize in temporary mosquito control solutions for outdoor events.
Temporary mosquito control methods
Imáges de Ana Belen | Canva Pro | License
When you are planning to spend time outdoors, entertaining family or relaxing on the patio, it is essential to have temporary control measures to repel mosquitoes. These methods eliminate or repel mosquitoes in smaller areas to make your outdoor experience more enjoyable. Short-term control methods include:
- Citronella candles: These candles contain citronella oil which is a scent mosquitoes find unpleasant. Place the candles around your outdoor seating area to create a protective barrier.
- Bug zappers: UV light attracts insects, and when the insects come in contact with the zapper, they are electrocuted. These devices work best in localized areas.
- Nets and screens: Enclose outdoor seating areas with physical barriers like nets or screens.
- Essential oils: Oils like eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint have natural mosquito-repellent properties. DIY create your own spray by mixing a few drops of oil with water and applying it to your skin, clothing, and outdoor seating area.
- Bug spray: Apply personal insect repellent sprays and lotions with ingredients like DEET or picaridin to your skin and clothes to deter mosquito bites.
- Outdoor fans: Installing outdoor fans on your patio or deck creates a breeze that makes it more challenging for mosquitoes and other flying insects to approach.
- Mosquito traps: These traps attract and capture mosquitoes with carbon dioxide. They are highly effective for small, outdoor areas.
FAQ about getting rid of mosquitoes
When are mosquitoes most active?
Mosquitoes look for targets during the early morning and late afternoon, typically at dusk and dawn.
What temperatures are mosquitoes active in?
Temperature influences mosquito activity, In general, mosquitoes are most active when temperatures range between 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
If I don’t usually get bitten, do I really need to get rid of mosquitoes?
Yes. Even if you don’t get mosquito bites, treatment is important if you notice them on your property. Mosquitoes carry harmful diseases and can even cause heartworms in dogs.
Do coffee grounds kill mosquitoes?
Sprinkling coffee grounds over your lawn probably won’t deter adult mosquitoes, but flooding standing water with coffee grounds will harm mosquito larvae. Furthermore, treating standing water with coffee also can prevent the insects from laying mosquito eggs.
Get help with your mosquito problem
Landscape alterations and pest control are overwhelming. If you need help creating a mosquito-resistant landscape, let Lawn Love connect you with a local landscaper who can get the job done. However, if you need help controlling mosquitoes in your yard, Lawn Love lawn care customers can help with that now too — just call 800-706-4117 to learn more.
Main Photo Credit: Wonderlane | Flickr | Public Domain
