Tired of itchy bites? Here’s how to get rid of mosquitoes in and around your home

Key points

• Getting rid of mosquitoes may require indoor and outdoor treatments, plus measures to stop them from breeding.

• Chemical treatments provide longer-lasting results, but nonchemical methods can also work well.

• Mosquito control can help reduce the spread of dangerous diseases such as West Nile, Zika, dengue and malaria.

Mosquitoes can quickly ruin a backyard barbecue and outdoor relaxation time, but more importantly, they can transmit dangerous diseases. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these parasitic insects can spread West Nile virus, Zika virus, dengue, and malaria and cause allergic reactions.

“Creating an effective mosquito control plan involves a combination of prevention, protection and strategic application,” said Shannon Harlow-Ellis, associate certified entomologist and technical services manager at Mosquito Joe.

Spraying your yard with a government-approved mosquito treatment is a fast way to get rid of adult mosquitoes around your home, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These treatments get rid of adult mosquitoes, so you’ll notice a decrease in the number of mosquitoes in your yard within 24 hours, but they aren’t permanent solutions. 

The CDC also notes that mosquito traps can reduce mosquito activity, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirms that nonchemical treatments, including some essential oils, can also help, but they take longer to have an effect.

If you have many mosquitoes inside your home, you can set up an indoor fogger. These machines will kill the existing mosquito population. You should also ensure you keep your window screens in good condition to prevent more mosquitoes from entering your home.

What are the most effective ways to get rid of mosquitoes fast?

The most effective way to get rid of mosquitoes quickly is to spray your yard with mosquito repellant. Chemical sprays will prevent mosquitoes from lingering in your yard. Traps are also good at getting rid of mosquitoes, although they take longer to work than sprays.

Spraying

Treating your yard with mosquito spray is the fastest way to quickly eliminate mosquitoes. These sprays are referred to as “adulticides” because they’re designed to kill fully grown adult mosquitoes. 

Adulticides are usually dispersed using ultra-low volume (ULV) liquid sprays. The liquid coats plants, trees and buildings and kills adult mosquitoes when they land on a surface that has been treated. This type of treatment is effective at eliminating mosquito populations quickly since it takes effect immediately.

Many homeowners are concerned about their and the environment’s safety when treating their yards with mosquito spray. Luckily, the EPA controls mosquito treatments. The three main types of EPA-approved adulticides are the following:

• Organophosphates: This class of adulticide works by interrupting a mosquito’s nervous system. Two common organophosphates used in the U.S. are malathion and naled.
• Pyrethrins: These compounds are derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Pyrethrins are generally considered safe and have been used since the 1950s.
• Synthetic pyrethroids: Synthetic pyrethroids are man-made compounds that mimic the chemical structure of naturally occurring pyrethrins. Popular synthetic pyrethroids include permethrin, sumithrin and deltamethrin.

Some people mistakenly use DEET sprays to treat their yards, but those sprays are intended to repel mosquitoes from your skin, not treat large areas. Insect repellent can help prevent mosquito bites, but it won’t reduce the mosquito population in your yard. Bug spray should only be used on your skin when you’re planning on spending time outside in an environment with mosquitoes.

“Using CDC-approved personal mosquito repellents adds an extra layer of defense,” said Harlow-Ellis. “This is especially important during activities like hiking, biking or camping when exposure is higher.”

Traps

Traps are another solution that can help reduce the mosquito population in your yard, but they aren’t as effective as chemical sprays because they take longer to work. They must attract mosquitos in order to kill them, while sprays kill mosquitos everywhere within the treated area.

Mosquito traps work by mimicking the body temperature, moisture level, and scent of human skin. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, the most common attractants used to draw mosquitos to a trap are carbon dioxide and 1-Octen-3-ol.

Once mosquitos enter the trap, something needs to keep them there. Popular capture methods include suction fans, sticky surfaces akin to fly paper, and electrified grids, also known as bug zappers.

Indoor foggers

A mosquito fogger approved for indoor use is a quick way to eliminate indoor mosquito populations, according to the CDC. These machines kill mosquitoes where they rest, so you don’t have to wait for mosquitoes to find and enter a trap for them to work. Indoor foggers are similar to chemical sprays in their application and effectiveness, but they’re safe for use indoors.

Remember that dealing with mosquitoes inside your home is not enough to eliminate them entirely since they’re most likely breeding outside. A complete solution to an indoor mosquito problem requires dealing with the root of the problem in your yard.

Window screen repair

If you have mosquitos inside your home, your primary goal should be figuring out how they got inside in the first place. Often, old window screens have gaps and holes that allow mosquitoes to get inside. Keeping your windows and doors closed and cooling your home with air conditioning as often as possible are great ways to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

How can you reduce mosquitoes in your home and yard naturally?

While the mosquito treatments we discussed above are vetted by the EPA and CDC, having an arsenal of nonchemical treatments can also help reduce mosquito activity in your yard.

“The first line of defense against mosquitoes is prevention, and homeowners play a crucial role in limiting mosquito breeding grounds,” said Harlow-Ellis.

Eliminate standing water

One of the best natural treatments for mosquitoes is reducing the standing water in your yard. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant pools of water, so getting rid of as many dark, damp places throughout your yard as possible will dramatically reduce the mosquito population.

Once per week, you should inspect your yard, looking for anything that’s holding water. “Emptying standing water from areas such as bird baths, flowerpots, wheelbarrows, tires and buckets is essential,” said Harlow-Ellis.

“Even a small amount of standing water, such as a bottle cap, can provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, so diligence in removing these potential habitats is key,” she continued.

Gutters and rain barrels are also mosquito-breeding hotspots. Gutters hold moisture when they’re not clean, so make sure your gutters are clear. Rain barrels can be covered with a fine mesh to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there.

Essential oils

Some research suggests that burning essential oils, such as citronella and lemon eucalyptus oil, has significant repellent effects. “While effective, these methods may require more frequent applications compared to traditional approaches,” said Harlow-Ellis.

Citronella candles are a popular mosquito deterrent that you can find at any local outdoor store. Lemongrass, catnip and peppermint oil also repel mosquitoes and are used in some nonchemical mosquito repellent sprays.

Landscaping

Keeping your garden well-trimmed can help reduce the natural habitat that attracts mosquitoes, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. This is because overgrown foliage creates a cool, dark, damp place for mosquitoes to rest and breed. Keep your plants, bushes and trees under control, especially those near your home. 

Additionally, several controlled scientific studies have shown that some plants may also act as natural mosquito deterrents. According to an article published through Rutger University’s Center for Vector Biology, marigolds may reduce the frequency of mosquito bites, though the mechanism is not well understood. Also, when planted around the house, lantanas have been shown to prevent mosquitoes from entering the home.

Where do mosquitoes breed?

Mosquitoes breed in water with little or no flow. Some species lay their eggs in permanent bodies of water, such as lakes, swamps and marshes. Other species lay eggs in moist soil and wait for rain or floodwater to trigger the eggs to hatch.

Both types of mosquitoes can find suitable environments in your yard to breed. Containers holding water or tree holes that occasionally collect rain are prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes. 

Eliminating standing water by removing containers that catch rain and filling tree holes can help reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard since the existing population won’t be able to breed as easily.

Are mosquitoes dangerous?

Many people consider mosquito bites no more than a nuisance, but these bugs can be dangerous. “Mosquito bites can pose health risks due to allergic reactions and the potential transmission of diseases,” said Harlow-Ellis. “According to CDC reports, diseases like West Nile virus are prevalent in the U.S.”

“Mosquitoes are also carriers of other diseases, making them one of the most dangerous animals on Earth,” she continued. Aside from West Nile, these diseases include Zika virus, dengue and malaria, which vary in severity.

West Nile virus is one of the more widely discussed mosquito-borne illnesses, but 80% of people who contract it never know they have it since it usually doesn’t lead to symptoms, according to the CDC. When it does cause symptoms, the most common complaints are a fever and a headache. Per the CDC, less than 1% of people infected by West Nile virus develop a serious neurological illness that can be fatal.

Zika virus is another disease transmitted by mosquitoes, but it is only carried by the Aedes species. These mosquitoes are most likely to bite during the day. Symptoms of the Zika virus appear between three and 12 days after the bite. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.

Dengue, yellow fever and malaria are other dangerous diseases transmitted by mosquito bites, but they’re less common in the U.S. than the West Nile and Zika viruses, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What’s next?

Getting rid of mosquitoes requires a multifaceted approach, so start mosquito-proofing your yard and home before the warm season begins. The first step is to remove any standing water near your home. If you’ve never looked for them before, you might be surprised at how many small pools of stagnant water you have in your yard.

You should also ensure the inside of your home is as inaccessible to mosquitoes as possible. That means keeping your windows and doors closed and replacing any screens that have holes in them.

The final step is to decide how you want to treat your yard. Chemical sprays are the most effective way to get rid of mosquitoes quickly. If you don’t want to DIY this process, contact a professional pest management company for an effective application.

If you’re uneasy about using chemicals in your yard, ask local pest companies if they have alternative treatments they recommend. You can always supplement chemical treatments with other remedies, such as essential oils and mosquito-repelling plants.

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