How To Treat Lawn For Mosquitoes

How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes Organically

Updated July 30, 2020Pesky mosquitoes that can ruin your backyard cookouts and keep you inside during the warm weather months. Mosquitoes are common warm-weather outdoor pests in Northern NJ, especially around homes near water or wooded areas. Proper mosquito prevention and control provides an environmentally sound environment, allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities in your backyard year-round. Before you can properly enjoy your time outdoors, you should make sure that you eliminate any potential pests like fleas, ticks, and mosquitos that can ruin your outdoor experience and spread diseases to your family and pets.

Control Grass And Shrubs

Mosquitoes breed in water but they like to hang out in grass and shrubs. Dont make your lawn attractive for these pests! Keep your grass 5 inches long or less. The mosquitoes will live, but they wont choose your backyard to settle in. If there are parts of your yard that you cannot mow this low, keep things like swing sets and patio tables away from these areas.

How To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Home

Learn how to safeguard your home, lawn and landscape from mosquitoes.

As anyone who has ever spent a summer evening in the open air knows, mosquitoes are a nuisance. With their whining buzz and relentless search for blood, they can drive even the hardiest outdoor lovers indoors with ease. They can also pose a health risk. From the Zika and West Nile viruses to yellow fever and malaria, diseases spread by mosquitoes can be extremely serious and sometimes even deadly.

Learning how to control mosquitoes is an important step toward safeguarding your home, lawn, and landscape, and Ortho® Home Defense® has a line of products that provides outdoor mosquito control in a few easy steps. Follow these tips to repel and control mosquitoes and help prevent future problems.

Don’t Miss: Why Is My Lawn Brown

Top Suggestions For How To Treat Yard For Mosquitoes

to catch indoor ones. get some butter oil cooking spray. from the dollar store. spray it on a couple styrofoam plates and leave it under a lite. i leave it on my glass top stove, with the hood lite on. a small old jar lid works under bathroom vanity lite for me. can usually watch movies for the evening, just shooing a couple.

Excessive Overgrowth Brush Grasses Or Wood Piles

Mosquitoes love to hide and theyll often seek shelter in tall grasses, shrubbery, or even around wood piles. To get rid of mosquitoes, you must think about reducing their hang-out spots.

This could include keeping your lawn regularly mowed, keeping your shrubs neat and trimmed, and clearing out any debris that has collected within your plant beds. If you cover your wood pile with a tarp be sure to keep it pulled tight and weighted down to prevent water from pooling on top of it and becoming stagnant.

Also Check: Does Lowes Rent Riding Lawn Mowers

Recommended Reading: Thistledown Herbicide

How To Treat A Lawn To Rid It Of Mosquitoes

• How to Make Your Yard Insect Free

Mosquitoes buzzing around in your yard can be more than a nuisance mosquito bites can cause painful itching and can even transmit diseases. Mosquitoes need water in which to lay their eggs and complete their life cycle, so control begins with prevention by water removal. Additionally, applying mosquito larvicides and insecticides to your yard may be beneficial in situations where it is not practical to remove breeding sites.

Other Impacts Of Mosquito Sprays

Mosquito sprays arent just toxic to insects, either. Runoff can wash these chemicals from our yards into surface waters, where they can poison aquatic organisms such as fish and crustaceans, which are highly sensitive to pyrethroids. Pets exposed to pyrethroids can experience vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and other symptoms.

While the risk to humans from pyrethroids is relatively low when applied properly, these products are far from harmless to human health. People exposed to large amounts of pyrethroids can experience effects like stinging skin, dizziness, headache, or nausea that might last for several hours. Pyrethroids can enter your body if you breathe air containing the chemicals, eat food that has been contaminated by the spray, or if your skin comes into contact with the spray. Children and infants are the most vulnerable risk group to pyrethroids.

Don’t Miss: Alps Mountaineering Rebound Rocker Chair

If You’re Not 100% Satisfied We’ll Make It Right It’s That Simple

We’ll return at no charge or refund the full costs of your last application.

When it comes to mosquito control, many homeowners have specific preferences or wish to include added protection in their mosquito treatment plan. Lawn Doctor will customize your services with a range of specialty programs that meet any unique needs for your mosquito control service.

Specialty Mosquito Control Services

Did you know that mosquitoes are the deadliest animals on earth? According to the World Health Organization, mosquito bites result in the deaths of more than 1 million people every year. The bites can transmit diseases such as West Nile, Zika Virus, Heartworm, Yellow Fever, and Dengue.

These insects can quickly become a problem in your yard. Female mosquitoes can lay eggs up to five times in the summer, even when winter comes, some species of mosquito eggs can continue the cycle the next summer. With mosquitoes posing such a problem, the question is how to get rid of mosquitoes to protect your family in your backyard. The answer: Lawn Doctors Yard Armour® Mosquito Control Services. Request a quote today!

How To Kill Mosquitoes In Yard

• 13 Kill Mosquito Larvae In Water

Repellents make a location less attractive to mosquitoes, but dont kill them. So, citronella, DEET , smoke, lemon eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree oil might keep the insects at bay, but wont control them or get rid of them in the long run.

Okay, lets dive into the strategies for luring the mosquitoes now. 1: Use Yeast To Attract Mosquitoes. Yeast is a great source of carbon dioxide , which mosquitoes absolutely love. Making a mosquito trap with yeast is an effective method of attracting mosquitoes and dealing with these pests effectively.

Depending on your preferences, poisonous baits kill the creatures, or some are non-lethal if you prefer that option. Most lethal options simulate moles preferred food sources and quickly kill the animal within a day. Pour the solution into the tunnels located in your yard to kill the creatures.

A larvicide is a type of insecticide used to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors around your home. They work by killing mosquito larvae before they can grow into adults. Some formulations are activated when ingested by the mosquitoes, and some formulations work when they come into contact with the larvae.

The green leaves of a citronella plant. Outside of spraying yourself, or covering up, every time you step outside, the use of fragrant plants to repel mosquitoes in your yard, is a beautiful way to keep mosquito numbers down.

Also Check: Craftsman Lt1000 Oil Change

Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

The Best Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are persistent little bitersbut that doesnt mean you cant get rid of them. Read this guide to discover the best ways to get rid of mosquitoes both in your home and yard. Sign up for the Newsletter Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our .

Treat Pools And Ponds

For standing water that you cant eliminate, apply a larvicide dunk or liquid larvicide and run the filter regularly. To prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in your pool, be sure to cover the pool at night and during the months when you arent using it.

BTI, a naturally occurring bacterium found in soil, produces toxins that target and kill mosquito larvae. You can spray it over ponds, flower pots, and bird baths, and its non-toxic to humans.

Read Also: Hydroseed Over Existing Lawn

Home Remedy To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes On My Grass

Related Articles

• How to Spray Insecticide for Mosquitoes

You spend a lot of time and money turning your backyard into a spot for relaxation and entertaining. Why ruin your enjoyment with clouds of biting mosquitoes? Getting rid of mosquitoes that lurk in the grass is mostly a matter of preventing them in the first place. Once you’ve cut down the bug population by a big percentage, you can concentrate on avoiding the few that are left behind.

Overlooked Standing Water Sources

You’ve probably heard about mosquitoes breeding in rainwater sitting in old tires, but there is a wide variety of other breeding spots you may not have thought about. The average suburban property can be filled with places where rainwater collects. The trick is to eliminate as many of them as possible to control the breeding population. Some of the spots you can search for are:

Recommended Reading: Lawn Mowing Simulator Mount Codes

Sugar Mix Mosquito Traps

If you are a fan of DIY projects, consider making your own sugar mix mosquito trap. Youll need 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of boiling water, 1 tablespoon of dry yeast, and 1 plastic soda bottle. Cut the bottle in half and combine the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved, then pour the cooled mixture into the bottle. Sprinkle yeast over the top and then invert the cut-off top of the bottle and secure it to the trap. The trap will attract mosquitoes who will become stuck inside and die. This diagram explains how to create the sugar mix trap in greater detail.

Making A Homemade Mosquito Repellent

Just like you, mosquitoes find certain scents repulsive, according to Mosquito Magnet, a company that helps consumers fight the pests. Those scents include citronella, peppermint, basil, garlic, lemon balm, lavender, marigold, catnip, rosemary and eucalyptus. When making a homemade mosquito repellent for your yard, keep these scents in mind.

Read Also: How Much For Trugreen

Diy Mosquito Control Methods

If youd rather take a stab at tackling the mosquitoes in your yard yourself, here are a few options you can try:

• Mosquito Repellent Candles: Candles that include citronella may provide some short-term relief to your yard. However these methods arent very effective on windy days.
• Natural Plants: If youd rather not jump to pesticides, try planting Citronella, catnip, rosemary or marigolds on your property. They have not been scientifically proven effective but they may provide some relief according to DIYers.
• Outdoor Bug Foggers : These can kill on contact and may provide temporary relief, but effectiveness varies. Must be used with EXTREME caution and follow ALL directions on the labels.
• Outdoor Bug Sprays : You can attach your hose to a concentrated bug spray and spray throughout your property, with primary focus on vegetation and shady areas. The effectiveness of the bug sprays may last longer than typical foggers, however, effectiveness of over-the-counter products havent been scientifically tested

How Sprays Hurt Bees And Other Wildlife

The focus of much of the toxicity testing by regulatory agencies has been on domesticated honey bees because their pollination services are critically important for our agriculture system and food production. Researchers have documented widespread contamination of honey bee hives with toxic pyrethroids, finding residues of these chemicals in the pollen that bees bring back to the hive, in beeswax, and on bees themselves, at levels that can be lethal to bees or cause harmful effects.

Even extremely small, residual doses of the chemicals used in mosquito sprays can disorient honey bees and prevent them from returning to the hive. One study found that after topical application of only 0.009 micrograms of permethrin per bee, none of the observed bees returned to the hive at days end because of disorientation due to the treatment. A separate study with different authors found similar effects for deltamethrin, which disoriented 91% of return bee flights to the hive after a dose of only .0025 micrograms per bee. With declining bee populations worldwide threatening global food security and nutrition, we cant afford to continue killing or harming bees.

Many insects are beneficial to humans, serving as pollinators and pest predators. Many are beautiful and iconic, like the monarch butterfly. Insects are also part of the base of the food web, without which other wildlife cannot survive.

Read Also: How To Dispose Of Old Lawn Mower Gas

About Mosquito Sprays For The Yard

Cut mosquitoes off at the source by attacking the areas where they breed and lay eggs! Framed in that way, it seems like an obvious choice, doesnt it?

There are many high-quality mosquito sprays out there nowadays which are suitable for protecting your yard from the blood-sucking pests. Some also contain ingredients that are non-toxic to humans, are environmentally safe, and leave no residue, providing minimal risk of other wildlife being affected by their application. Many of these products leave no unpleasant chemical odor behind either.

How mosquito yard sprays work?

Simply put, mosquito yard spray is sprayed over the foliage and grass in your backyard and all the mosquitoes, flies, gnats and other pests that are exposed to it are slowly killed as are their larvae and eggs. In most cases, these insecticides work by interfering with the insects’ nervous system and generally do not kill on contact.

Keep Your Yard Trimmed

During warm weather, mosquitoes like to cool off in tall grass or brush. If you go long periods of time without mowing your lawn or you allow weeds to pop up in thick patches, you are creating the perfect hiding places for mosquitoes to rest when they are seeking out somewhere safe to cool off. You can fix this by remember to mow your lawn regularly, using a weed wacker to keep unwanted plants at bay, and trimming any bushes or trees that may be growing unruly. Keeping your yard neatly trimmed will also allow the sun to dry up any wet spots or puddles that may arise.

Also Check: When To Overseed Lawn In Iowa

How Do I Get Rid Of Mosquitoes Fleas And Ticks In My Yard Without Harming Pets

Trying to balance the desire for an insect-free yard with concern about the safety of your family and pets can prove to be difficult. One way to ensure that they are safe from harm is to use an organic mosquito, flea, and tick spray on your yard and around your outdoor areas. Not only is this treatment 100% safe for pets, but its also safe for children as well. You can use organic insect treatment throughout your landscape without worrying about harming pets or wildlife.

How To Keep Mosquitoes Away

One of the keys to controlling mosquitoes is knowing how and where they breed. Reducing the number of places where larvae can grow, and killing them as they do, will greatly diminish the number of adult mosquitoes around you.

• Eliminate areas of standing water: The best way to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard is to eliminate areas where they can lay eggs. Even the smallest amount of standing or stagnant water can serve as a breeding ground.
• Regularly clean and change the water in birdbaths.
• Use larvicides to treat containers of non-drinking water.
• Get rid of cans, bottles and any other open containers that are outside.
• Remove tree stumps where rainwater can collect.
• Clean your gutters to eliminate clogs and prevent water buildup.
• Drain toddler-sized wading pools when you’re not using them.
• Avoid overwatering your lawn.

Monitor nearby ponds and landscape water features: For areas where it’s impossible to eliminate all water, such as goldfish ponds, take steps to hinder mosquito breeding.

You May Like: How Long After Trugreen Treatment Can I Mow

Mosquito Control In Georgia

Mosquitoes reproduce rapidly, which means you need regular treatments to keep their numbers in check. Thats why our mosquito control includes monthly visits from March to October, giving you relief all season long. We exclusively treat the exterior of your home, so you dont even have to be home for us to begin eliminating mosquitoes.

Natural Mosquito Repellent And Control

Some natural repellents and remedies can help with controlling mosquitoes.

• Mosquitoes avoid such varieties of plants as catnip, feverfew, citrosa, tulsi , rosemary and lemon thyme. Plant a few varieties in high-traffic areas around your home, such as along walkways, in window boxes or in pots on porches and decks. The plant oils and fragrances will act as a natural barrier against mosquitoes.
• Some naturally derived oils, such as peppermint, camphor and citronella, can be mixed with water and used as a spray to help repel mosquitoes. Oils such as eucalyptus and lavender can be lightly applied directly to the skin to prevent mosquitoes from landing to bite.
• Natural predators such as dragonflies feed on mosquitoes at all life stages. Dragonfly nymphs eat mosquito larvae, while adult dragonflies prey on adult mosquitoes. A water feature or pond no more than 2 feet deep, that gets five to six hours of sun per day, and hosts some plants to help oxygenate the water, is an ideal condition to support dragonfly habitation.

Read Also: How Often Should Lawn Be Fertilized

An Interview With Experts: Are Backyard Mosquito Sprays Safe And Effective

We get a lot of questions and concerns about backyard mosquito sprays. We interviewed two experts to learn more about the risks.

Each year, more yards are being sprayed for mosquitos. Did you know you could be poisoning your yard but mosquito populations are not being reduced?

Before deciding to spray your yard, know the facts. Spraying can harm you, your kids, pets and your neighbors. The chemicals can also harm birds and insects that help eat mosquitos and pollinate your yard.

To learn more about the problems with mosquito spraying, we interviewed Deborah Landau, an entomologist and conservation scientist at The Nature Conservancy, and Mary Travaglini, a certified organic land care professional and organic landscape manager at the Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection. These experts agree: Mosquito treatments, including the alleged all natural variety can harm you and your environment, while not actually reducing mosquito populations.

How effective are mosquito sprays?

What am I getting for my 300 dollars worth of a pesticide spray?

MT: If we turn the .0001% effectiveness into dollars and cents, a millionth of $300 dollars worth of spraying is .0003, which is not even a third of a penny. In fact, wed have to spend $10,000 before we even got once cent worth of value! Spend your time and money cleaning gutters, removing standing water, and getting together with the neighbors to do this throughout the neighborhood.