Mosquito Management Guide

Mosquitoes are a summer pest that can leave you with itchy bites. These bugs make it difficult to enjoy your outdoor space. Minimizing attractants and using pest control products can help to keep these pesky bugs away. We’ve gathered information to help you eliminate a mosquito infestation. 

Mosquitoes thrive in warm environments and become active when temperatures are consistently above 50° F. This is why you’re most likely to run in to these pests in the spring and summer. They are most active at dawn and dusk. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water, where the larvae and pupae will develop. They stay close to bodies of water, such as ponds and lakes, but will gravitate to other areas where standing water is present including yards. Shaded areas and vegetation can also be attractive to mosquitoes. To eliminate an infestation, you will need to focus on removing attractants and using pest control products.

Reducing Attractants

• Minimize Standing Water: Mosquitoes only need a small amount of water to lay eggs and breed. Examine your yard for potential sources of standing water and work to minimize the moisture build-up. Make sure your gutters are clean and working properly. Remove or empty items filled with water such as buckets, toys, and flowerpots. Regularly replace the water in pet bowls, kiddie pools, and birdbaths.
• Maintain Your Yard: Mosquitoes look for places where they can catch a break from the sun. Vegetation and yard debris can provide them with these hiding spots. To discourage mosquito activity, keep your lawn, shrubs, and plants trimmed. Keep the area under your deck free of debris. Remove leaves, branches, grass clippings, and weeds that can act as shelter.
• Take Care of Your Pool: If you have a pool, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t become a mosquito hot spot. Keeping your pool clean and maintaining the treatment schedule will make the water unappealing to mosquitoes. It’s important that the pump and filter are working properly to ensure the water keeps moving and doesn’t become stagnant.
• Seal Entry Points: Though mosquitoes are usually found outdoors, they can make their way inside if given the opportunity. Sealing potential entry points can help to keep these pests away. Make sure your window and door screens don’t have tears. Seal cracks and gaps with caulk. Avoid leaving your doors and windows open if they don’t have a screen. 

When dealing with mosquitoes, different products and application methods may be needed, depending on the space you’re trying to protect.

Your outdoor space is where mosquito activity will be most prevalent. Treating your lawn and vegetation can help to prevent and control a mosquito infestation. Our Mosquito & Tick Killer is formulated with plant essential oils, providing contact kill and residual repellency protection. It is a hose-end product that can effectively treat up to 5,000 sq ft. When used as directed, it is safe for use around children and pets.

Application Tips

After attaching the bottle nozzle to your garden hose, you will turn the water on. Start at the spot furthest away from the spigot that you want to treat, and then turn the nozzle to the “ON” position. You’ll want to work backwards towards the spigot. In addition to spraying your grass, you’ll also want to apply to dense vegetation. Spray to ensure the product reaches deep into the vegetation. You can also treat the area under porches and decks where mosquitoes could harbor. For best results, spray at dusk. This will also minimize any potential for burning of delicate plants. Apply at a rate of 500-600 sq ft per minute. You can reapply every two weeks or as needed. 

Pest control products can also help to protect your outdoor seating areas like decks, patios, and porches. Our Mosquito Fogger and ‘Skeet-R-Shield Mosquito Repellent Canister are ideal for these spots. Our Mosquito Fogger is powered by plant oils. It kills mosquitoes and provides up to seven days of repellent zone residual protection. It can cover up to 750 sq ft. Our ‘Skeet-R-Shield Mosquito Repellent Canister is a portable and reusable area mosquito repellent. The granules are formulated with plant essential oils. Mosquitoes are repelled by the oil vapors. The granules can protect an area up to about 250 sq ft.

Application Tips

Apply our Mosquito Fogger in a slow, sweeping motion toward the area to be treated, making contact with as many mosquitoes as possible. It’s best to spray when the air is calm or to spray in the same direction as the wind. To create a mosquito repellent zone, spray surfaces and vegetation in areas where mosquitoes congregate. Focus on foliage, under and near decks, porches, patios, and outdoor screens. The product will take effect within a few minutes. Reapply after rainfall, and repeat as needed.

To activate our ‘Skeet-R-Shield Mosquito Repellent Canister, simply remove the lid from the canister. Place it on a table or similar surface, near where people are gathering. It’s best to place it upwind from where people will be hanging out. You’ll want to put the lid on and shake the canister about every three hours during use. To extend the effective life, replace the lid tightly when not in use. You can also spread the granules over the ground to create a repellent zone. 

Mosquitoes can also be spot-treated with our Flying Insect Killer. It is formulated using plant essential oils as the active ingredients. It kills and repels mosquitoes and can be used indoors or outside. When used as directed, it is safe for use around children and pets.

Application Tips

Shake the can well before using and periodically during use. Keep the can in an upright position while spraying. Direct spray at the mosquitoes and contact as many as possible. It’s best to spray in 2–3 second bursts. You’ll want to spray insects when they are resting to get the best spray coverage possible. If spraying inside, wipe up any excess. You can repeat applications as needed. 

When you’re heading outdoors, you can use an on-skin repellent. Our Natural* Insect Repellent is a moisturizing repellent that protects against mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. It is formulated using plant oils as the active ingredients and is DEET-FREE (EPA requires that we state that DEET-FREE is not a safety claim). It is non-sticky and non-greasy. It is safe for the entire family when used as directed. It may also be used on dogs, horses, and other animals, but it should not be applied to cats, birds, or reptiles.
*Naturally sourced ingredients

Application Tips

Shake the can well before and periodically during use. Hold the can 6–8 inches from exposed skin. Spray in a slow, sweeping motion. For maximum protection, you’ll want to slightly moisten your skin and then spread it with your hand after application. For facial applications, first spray a small amount into the palm of your hand and then spread on your face and neck. Avoid spraying on your clothing, and don’t spray your eyes or mouth. You can reapply every two hours or as needed.

Sharing your outdoor space with mosquitoes isn’t ideal. Implementing preventative techniques and using pest control products can help to get rid of these pests and ensure you can enjoy your time outside.