How To Help Mosquito-Proof Your Yard and Deck

Author: Emma Grace Crumbley, Entomologist

A mosquito problem can totally ruin your backyard summer plans. Luckily, there are several things you can do to make your yard and deck less attractive to mosquitoes!

Remove Standing Water

Source reduction is the best way to control mosquitoes around your home. Mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs in, and they don't need all that much. In fact, mosquitoes can lay viable eggs in pools of water as small as a bottle cap. Imagine how many eggs they can lay in bodies of water larger than that!

When checking your yard for standing water, remember to inspect it thoroughly. Water can get trapped in many places around your lawn, including children's toys, tarps, plant saucers, gutters, tree holes, and tarps. For water sources you don't want to get rid of completely, like dog bowls and bird baths, be sure to clean these areas and change their water out regularly.

Install Screens and Fans

After reducing standing water from your yard, it’s time to address the deck. Consider adding screens to doorframes and window frames for decks with covered porches or patios. When the weather gets to its hottest point midday, mosquitoes like to hide in shady spots. Without bug screens to stop them, they might seek shelter on or under your deck. These unwanted guests can turn your midday deck sesh into a midday itch fest.

Another thing to consider is adding fans to your deck. Mosquitoes are good fliers, but they struggle against strong winds. Adding fans around your deck will help you cool off and deter mosquitoes from stopping by.

Promote Nature’s Predators

If your yard has a water feature, especially a natural body of water, keeping that water around may be better for mosquito control than getting rid of it. Many aquatic animals, including amphibians, fish, and other insects, eat mosquito larvae. Check your water and see what kind of wildlife is living in it, and try your best to promote these predators. Planting native aquatic and wetland plants near natural water bodies can help increase the number of beneficial animals living nearby.

While we’re on the subject of predators, let’s talk about mosquitofish. Yes, mosquitofish get their name from their favorite food, mosquito larvae. However, these small fish are more aggressive than they might seem. In addition to eating mosquito larvae, mosquitofish will also eat other fish, insects, and even amphibians living in their ecosystem. Less native wildlife can lead to worse mosquito problems.

Call The Pros!

If removing standing water, adding screens and fans, and promoting natural predators aren’t helping your mosquito problems, it’s time to call The Squad. Mosquito Squad’s traditional barrier treatment helps keep mosquitoes away for up to 21 days, and our natural mosquito treatment helps keep mosquitoes away for 2-3 weeks.

Call today to schedule your service and help rid your yard of mosquitoes. Get a free quote today!