Tips to get rid of mosquitoes from your home and yard

Updated on: January 10, 2025

Tired of being a mosquito's favorite snack? Don't worry, we have you covered. We know mosquitoes can be a buzzkill, so we're here to swat them out of your life with some common methods to control mosquitoes.

How to get rid of mosquitoes from your yard

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy being outside, but mosquitoes can quickly put a damper on your plans. There are plenty of ways to help keep these annoying pests at bay, but working with a professional is the best way to get results. Here are a few of the most common DIY ways to get rid of mosquitoes:

Hire a professional

When it comes to eliminating mosquitoes, hiring a professional mosquito control service is typically the best option. While DIY methods can offer temporary relief, they are not a reliable long-term solution. If you want to ensure long-lasting results, consider professional mosquito control services. Terminix technicians know how to get rid of mosquitoes and will work with you to create a customized treatment plan to help protect your yard.

Get rid of standing water

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and only require a tablespoon of water to reproduce. During mosquito season, removing water from flower pots, buckets, and gutters is essential to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. If you have kiddie pools or birdbaths, you should change this water out at least weekly to help disrupt the mosquito life cycle and reduce the likelihood of larvae developing into adult mosquitoes.

Keep your yard clean

Mosquitoes like to hide in tall grass and dense vegetation, so if you're struggling with how to get rid of mosquitoes, it's important to keep your yard clean, cut grass short, and trim vegetation. Besides stagnant water, mosquitoes can also lay eggs in damp soil, logs, and other moist areas. Remove any piles of leaves and any yard waste that can collect moisture and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Use fans

Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so using fans can help deter them by disrupting their flying pattern. The strong breeze will make it difficult for mosquitoes to fly and land on potential targets. Fans also help disperse the chemical compounds we emit from our bodies in various directions, which will confuse the mosquitoes. Fans can be a useful temporary solution, but they are not an effective long-term solution.

Mosquito netting

Even more effective than fans, netting can be used to physically prevent mosquitoes from biting you altogether. Some netting can be bought with enclosures, or it can be used separately to enclose gazebos, pergolas, and porches.

Mosquito spray

Another effective way to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard is by using mosquito spray. Once applied, mosquito sprays may create a barrier that repels mosquitoes from your yard. However, it's important to note that most mosquito sprays available to the public only repel mosquitoes and do not kill them. Additionally, they typically do not last for more than 24 hours.

How Terminix gets rid of mosquitoes

At Terminix, we believe that professional mosquito control is the best way to get long-lasting results. Our trained technicians use advanced techniques and products to target mosquitoes, protecting your property.

Before starting the treatment, our technicians will first inspect your property to identify any potential areas where mosquitoes breed or rest. Next, they will use a barrier treatment spray to target these zones around your property. This treatment can last for several weeks and will help eliminate breeding sites, helping to reduce the number of mosquitoes. Additionally, breeding sites that cannot be eliminated may be treated with a larvicide to prevent the emergence of adults. Our technicians will work with you to help identify potential breeding sites and assist with removing any collected water after rain in areas such as empty flower pots, plant saucers, gutter extensions, etc. to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

How to get rid of mosquitoes in your home

There are many different DIY methods to help eliminate mosquitoes outdoors, but what about when they are in your home? Although mosquitoes are not indoor pests, they can be found indoors when they unintentionally fly in through an open door or window. Here are a few tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes in your house:

Window and door screens

Using window and door screens can create a barrier, preventing mosquitoes from entering your home. If you already use screens, checking them regularly for any holes or tears is important. Additionally, keep doors and windows closed as often as possible, especially when mosquitoes are most active.

Professional mosquito control

If you're struggling with how to get rid of mosquitoes, sometimes it's best to leave it to the professionals. Terminix offers effective outdoor mosquito control services that can help reduce the mosquito population in your yard, which will help prevent them from entering your home. Our trained technicians use advanced techniques and products to target mosquitoes at every stage of their life cycle, ensuring long-lasting results.

Remove interior breeding sites

If mosquitoes have successfully found their way into your home, make sure you eliminate any potential sources inside that may become breeding sites. Remove any standing water in the planters, seal any opening around the sump pump cover, screen floor drains, and clean any moist organic matter that may accumulate in the hollow overflow basin in the bathroom sinks.

Individual air conditioning units have been known breeding sites for certain mosquitoes. If the drip reservoir under the unit is not properly maintained, mosquitoes can breed and find direct access into your home when they emerge as adults. Ensure that the unit is tightly sealed in the window frame to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Clean the drip pan at least once a week.