Mosquito Season is Coming: Mosquito Control Tips for Your Yard

After a long and wet winter, mosquito season begins in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance; they pose a serious risk to public health. These tiny pests can transmit numerous diseases to both people and pets, including Zika virus, West Nile virus, dog heartworm, and multiple forms of encephalitis. Alarmingly, in recent years, locally acquired cases of malaria have been detected in Maryland.

The Key to Mosquito Control: Eliminating Breeding Sites

The most effective way to prevent a spring mosquito invasion is to remove their breeding grounds. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, making it essential for homeowners to eliminate these sources around their property. Common culprits include:

• Old tires
• Buckets
• Flowerpot drip trays
• Unused children’s toys (such as sandboxes)
• Clogged rain gutters
• Birdbaths and ponds

For water-containing areas that cannot be drained like koi ponds and fountains, consider installing a circulation or agitation system. Mosquitoes will not breed in moving water, and solar-powered fountains available online are an easy and eco-friendly solution.

Targeting Mosquito Larvae

If standing water cannot be removed, using larvicides is an effective control method. Mosquito dunks containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) are an eco-friendly and natural solution. BTI targets only mosquito larvae, blackflies, and fungus gnats while being harmless to people and animals. These products are readily available online and at local retailers.

Additional Prevention Strategies

In addition to removing breeding sites, there are other effective ways to reduce mosquito populations in your yard:

• Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Citronella grass, basil, and lavender are known to deter mosquitoes.
• Lawn Maintenance: Mosquitoes rest on the undersides of leaves during the day, so trimming overgrown areas can help reduce their presence.
• Encourage Natural Predators: Installing bat houses on your property can attract little brown bats, which can consume hundreds of mosquitoes in a single night.

The Limitations of DIY Sprays

Many commercially available sprays claim to repel mosquitoes but often provide only short-lived results. No single method alone is a foolproof solution, so a combination of control strategies is the most effective approach.

Professional Mosquito Control Solutions

For the best results, professional pest control services use an integrated approach that includes:

• Habitat modification to eliminate breeding grounds
• Larvicide applications to target mosquito larvae
• Adult mosquito treatments using traditional pesticides or eco-friendly alternatives

At Viking Pest Control, we offer comprehensive mosquito control solutions to keep your home and yard safe. Our Award-Winning Last Bite mosquito and tick yard treatments have a proven track record of driving mosquitos away. Starting in 2025, we have added a Last Bite Green mosquito control option. Last Bite is also included in several of our more comprehensive home pest control plans. Contact us today to learn more about our professional treatment options and enjoy a mosquito-free environment all season long!