How to Combat Mosquitoes in 10 Simple Steps

Mosquitoes, the unwelcome guests at every backyard barbecue and garden party, are more than mere pests. They pose a significant health risk to you, your loved ones, and even your pets. Did you know that mosquitoes are actually the deadliest animals on earth? They kill 725,000 humans globally each year. Plus, our pets are also in their crosshairs with the threat of heartworm disease. So, learning how to combat mosquitoes can protect you, your family, and your pets, which is serious business.

Of course, most people don’t take a mosquito bite too seriously. However, debilitating allergies and other vector-borne diseases can be transmitted whenever a female mosquito bites. Fortunately, our team of bug experts has some ways to help keep mosquitoes away from your patio, garden, and other outdoor areas. So, if you’re ready to learn how to fight mosquitoes, Mosquito Joe® class is about to begin.

Make no mistake — winning this battle won’t be easy. Mosquitoes have existed for over 225 million years for a reason. These suckers know how to survive. Did you know that a mosquito’s journey from egg to biting adulthood is just 4-7 days? They just can’t wait to start bugging and biting us! And they can swell their ranks with astonishing speed. A mosquito lays 100-300 eggs at a time, and a single female mosquito lays between 1,000 to 3,000 eggs in her lifetime! Quite an impressive feat for such a tiny creature.

Get to Know the Female Mosquito – Facts and FAQs

So, as you can see, there’s no time to waste. Let’s jump right into our 10 best ways to deal with mosquitoes.

Step 1: Remove Standing Water

A common quest for many homeowners is to figure out how to combat mosquitoes naturally. This is a viable approach that offers a few different options. As you learn how to combat mosquitoes, ways to make your property less inviting to them. Start by hitting them where it hurts — their breeding grounds. Standing water is a mosquito’s maternity ward, where females lay eggs and foster their offspring. Anything from a water-filled plant catch tray to a waterlogged tire swing can turn into a mosquito nursery. Neglected bird baths and clogged gutters make perfect hatcheries for mosquitoes. By eliminating these aquatic havens you can significantly reduce the overall mosquito population on your property. Regularly empty pots, change birdbath water, and ensure your gutters flow properly and water drains away from your home to prevent puddles. Following these simple steps will disrupt the mosquitoes’ life cycle and reduce their numbers.

Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Tire Swing

Step 2: Wear Protective Clothing

When determining how to fight mosquitoes, your wardrobe can play a significant role. Remember, mosquitoes target exposed skin. Choose long-sleeved tops, full-length pants, and hats to cover as much skin as possible, especially during the mosquitoes’ favorite meal times — dawn and dusk. Light-colored clothing is best, as our tiny foes are attracted to dark shades. Clothes treated with permethrin, a mosquito repellent, can offer extra protection. This dressing strategy is a simple way to foil these pesky biters and reduce your chances of becoming their next meal.

Step 3: Use Mosquito Repellent

When learning how to combat mosquitoes, using mosquito repellent is a crucial step. Repellents block and confuse the mosquito’s sense of smell, so they won’t be drawn to you. Look for repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. To maximize your protection, apply it thoroughly on all exposed skin and clothing, following the product’s instructions. Remember to reapply after swimming or sweating. Protect your cats or dogs from getting bitten as well by using topical heartworm prevention. Alongside protective clothing, using a repellent adds an extra barrier between you and these pesky pests, significantly reducing the chances of mosquito bites.

How to Make A Mosquito Repellant

Step 4: Use Mosquito Netting

When exploring how to combat mosquitoes naturally, don’t overlook the value of mosquito netting. Acting as a see-through physical barrier, it prevents these tiny pests from getting close enough to bite. Drape it over beds, particularly in mosquito-heavy areas, or over baby strollers and small play areas during outdoor activities. Ensure it’s intact, with no gaps or holes, and is properly secured. Mosquito netting offers an effective and natural layer of defense, serving as your personal force field against these airborne and blood-thirsty invaders.

Step 5: Install Screens

Like the use of mosquito netting, screens are essential weapons when it comes to fighting mosquitoes. Window and door screens act as silent sentinels, barring mosquitoes’ entry while letting the breeze flow freely. Select tightly woven screens that mosquitoes can’t squeeze through, and regularly inspect them for holes or gaps. Consider screen enclosures for porches and patios to extend your defense outdoors. This simple installation is one of the best ways to deal with mosquitoes, turning your home into a no-fly zone for these pests.

Step 6: Use Fans

Learning how to combat mosquitoes can be a breeze — literally! Mosquitoes are not strong flyers; even a gentle wind from a fan can throw them off course. Position outdoor fans around areas where people gather, like patios or decks, to create a mosquito-deterring wind barrier. Indoors, use a ceiling fan or oscillating fans to disrupt their flight paths. This strategy is one of the best ways to deal with mosquitoes, as it leverages the simple power of wind, making your gatherings more pleasurable. While you may be blown away by this simple technique, so will these uninvited guests.

Step 7: Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants

When figuring out how to fight mosquitoes, don’t forget to enlist Mother Nature. Certain plants emit scents that mosquitoes find less than appealing. Choices like Citronella, Lemongrass, Marigolds, or Basil can beautify your garden while discouraging mosquitoes. Plant these near outdoor seating areas or by windows and entrances to create a fragrant force field. While mosquito-repelling plants cannot protect you on their own, they offer a charming, eco-friendly addition to your mosquito defense plan, bringing beauty and functionality to your home and garden.

Step 8: Use Mosquito Traps

Mosquito traps can be key allies in your fight against mosquitoes. These devices lure mosquitoes with attractants such as light, heat, or carbon dioxide, then capture or kill them. There are various types available, including propane traps for large yards and UV light traps for indoors. Select Mosquito Joe® locations to offer specialized mosquito traps for optimum effectiveness. Place these secret weapons in shaded, damp areas where mosquitoes like to hang out, but away from people. While using traps won’t eliminate mosquitoes completely, this method works very well and is one of the best ways to deal with mosquitoes.

Step 9: Keep Your Lawn Trimmed

Knowing how to combat mosquitoes goes hand in hand with understanding the importance of proper landscaping and lawn maintenance. Keeping a tidy yard and lawn is not only aesthetically favorable but also strategically important to limit places where mosquitoes like to hide and recharge. Mosquitoes often hide in tall, damp grass to escape the midday heat. So, keeping your bushes and shrubs trimmed and your lawn to a height of about 3 inches helps reduce their preferred hangout spots. Regular lawn maintenance keeps your yard looking neat and tidy, improves its curb appeal, and diminishes the areas where mosquitoes can rest and hide. A well-kept lawn is a practical part of your natural mosquito control arsenal, making it one of the best ways to deal with mosquitoes on your property.

Step 10: Hire Professional Mosquito Control

Well, our final and easiest way to combat pesky mosquitoes is to schedule regular mosquito treatments with the bug experts at Mosquito Joe. If you’re unsure of how to combat mosquitoes effectively on your own, call on the pros. Mosquito Joe is your experienced and trusted ally in the fight against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other pests. We provide comprehensive pest control services tailored to your property’s specific needs. Our in-depth knowledge of mosquito behavior and proven biter-fighting techniques tip the battle in your favor.

And with the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and our Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee to back all our work, your satisfaction is guaranteed. When mosquitoes seem to outnumber your defenses, Mosquito Joe will reclaim your outdoor spaces for you and make the outdoors fun again! Request a free quote today!