9 Tips for Getting Rid of Mosquitoes

There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide, with multiple species appearing in virtually every nation on the planet. Thousands of variations on mosquitoes means there’s a mosquito for every climate and season. That’s not good news. No animal or insect transmits more infectious diseases than the mosquito.

When you’re dealing with a mosquito infestation at home, there are a few household items that you can use to kill or repel bloodsucking pests. Below, we’ve put together some of the best DIY ways to keep your home as mosquito-free as possible—including naturaltechniques and homeowner best practices!

DIY Ways to Kill Mosquitoes Indoors & Outdoors

These are all about killing as many mosquitoes as you can quickly. The key is to target areas where mosquitoes and their eggs are likely to be. The other key is to use items that naturally attract mosquitoes to trap them.

#1: If You Have Standing Water, Treat with a Larvicide.

If you have fish ponds, bird baths, or any body of water that animals use, buy larvicide tablets. Larvicides release bacteria that are poisonous to mosquito larvae (but nothing else). Most home care centers have larvicides for as little as $10. However, if you’re unsure about what would be best for your backyard, call a professional mosquito control expert who offers larvicide treatment (like Mosquito Squad®!)

#2: Get Rid of Standing Water.

Puddles, empty flowerpots, and dirty gutters all hold stagnant water, which means they’re also holding mosquito eggs. Mosquito eggs only need a half-inch of water to survive, so you need to get rid of all standing water if you want to clear out your backyard. Start with driveway puddles—use a push broom to spread the water over the concrete so it’ll dry immediately. Next, empty your flowerpots and any plastic pools and turn them over so they can’t catch water. If you have any old tires, roll them around to spill all the water.

Tip: If you have a tire swing, drill a hole in the bottom. This’ll make sure any water after a rainstorm drains!

For more tips about making your yard a mosquito-free zone, read The 7 T’s of Mosquito Control!

#3: Fill a Small Dish with Dish Soap & Leave It Outside.

This one is a cheap and easy way to kill a few mosquitoes. As mentioned above, mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water. To use that to your advantage, fill a small dish with water and dish soap. Mosquitoes will gather to the water, but the dish soap will trap them in it. Once enough of them have drowned, throw out the water.

Tip: If you want to trap even more mosquitoes, you can do this same tip with dry ice and a large, wide container. Carbon dioxide attracts mosquitoes, so you can use dry ice to trap them in larger quantities. Once enough mosquitoes are in the container, cover with a lid and dispose of it.

How Do I Keep Mosquitoes from Infecting the Yard?

Once you’ve killed a few mosquitoes, the next step is making your backyard as inhospitable to them as possible!

#4: Plant Holy Basil in Your Garden.

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) kills mosquito larvae. Plant some holy basil near your shrubs and flowers, and you may be able to disrupt the mosquito lifecycle by killing their eggs.

#5: Treat Your Pool & Water Features with Chemicals.

If you have an in-ground pool, a fountain, or other water feature in your backyard, this tip is gold: use chemical treatments for those features as often as recommended. Consistent upkeep is vital to keep mosquitoes from using it as a nursery. If you have a lot of plants around your pool or fountain, trim them early and often.

For more pool maintenance tips, visit this blog by ASP Pool Co. today!

Tip: While you’re maintaining your water features, clear out your gutters. That’s where most homeowners neglect to check for standing water, which means that’s where mosquitoes are most likely to be left alone. You were probably planning on clearing it out anyway—might as well be today!

#6: Mow the Lawn & Trim the Shrubs.

Mosquitoes often seek shelter in tall grass and shady shrubs. Keeping your grass neat and trim means mosquitoes won’t have anywhere to hide. The best times to mow the lawn and kill mosquitoes is when mosquitoes are resting, which is typically between 12 PM and 4 PM.

#7: Tie Down Your Tarps Extra Tight.

Loose tarps mean shaded areas for mosquitoes to thrive. Tie down your car, firewood, barbecue, and anything else as tightly as possible. Retighten the tarps every few weeks or whenever you notice the tarp sagging.

How Do I Keep Mosquitoes from Getting in the House?

Mosquitoes in the yard is one thing; mosquitoes in your home means war. Frankly, if you have mosquitoes in your home, your backyard needs professional treatment. We recommend giving us a call at (877) 332-2239 for a free estimate. However, until we get there, here’s how you protect your home!

#8: Prep Your Home’s Entry Points.

Leave holy basil plants at your home’s entrances. Like we mentioned, holy basil is deadly to mosquito larvae. Killing the mosquito eggs at your door means fewer mosquitoes cross your threshold. Also, if you have lights at your entry, replace the bulbs with yellow LEDs. Unlike most store-bought lights, yellow LEDs don’t attract mosquitoes. Next, check your screens. If you have holes in your screens, that’s a dead giveaway for how the mosquitoes are getting in. For extra precaution, check your weather stripping on all doors and windows.

#9: Make Sure Your Mosquito Nets Are Large Enough.

Mosquito nets are great for keeping yourself bite-free during the night, but most mosquito nets are too small. Here’s what you’re looking for: you want a net that reaches the floor and not just the edge of your bed. Just as importantly, make sure you’re not touching the net when you’re lying down. If you can touch the net while you’re sleeping, it’s likely you’ll end up tearing a hole in it while tossing and turning.

If you want to give your mosquito-killing crusade a major edge, call Mosquito Squad® today! Our mosquito control experts have helped more than 300,000 families stay mosquito-free for up to 21 days at a time. Our proprietary methods and EPA-registered formula kills 85-90% of mosquitoes in just one visit while keeping new mosquitoes from appearing for weeks at a time.

Call (877) 332-2239 to get a free estimate and learn about our different year-round treatment plans!