DIY
Does mosquito spray work?
Contributed by:Tim Best
Updated on: March 12, 2025
Mosquito sprays claim to help protect your home from mosquitoes. When it comes to mosquito sprays for the yard, homeowners might use products like hose-end sprayers, aerosols, or foggers to treat their property.
But does mosquito spraying work? How fast does mosquito spraying work? And are DIY sprays just as effective as professional treatments? The short answer is this: some sprays and repellents can be more effective than others, but in many cases, taking the DIY approach to mosquito control is ill-advised and best left to the professionals.
How does mosquito spray repellent work?
Mosquito repellents work by releasing active ingredients that disrupt the sensory mechanisms mosquitoes use to locate their hosts. When you spray a mosquito repellent on yourself or in your yard, you release an invisible cloud of ingredients that mosquitoes can detect. These ingredients can either confuse the mosquitoes, making it harder for them to detect humans, or create a barrier that repels them from treated areas. Primarily, these sprays target adult mosquitoes, which can bite and spread diseases. In terms of application, mosquito sprays are usually applied to areas in the yard where mosquitoes are likely to rest and breed, such as standing water sources, shrubs, shady areas, and tall grasses.
Choosing the right type of mosquito spray is important for mosquito spraying to work. When shopping for repellents, the Cleveland Clinic recommends looking for EPA-registered products containing ingredients like DEET, picaridin, lemon oil, or eucalyptus oil. Although DEET is technically not a repellent, it contains an active ingredient that can confuse mosquitoes and can make it difficult for them to smell humans to bite. Remember to always check the labels for these active ingredients and read the manufacturer's instructions for use.
Why you should use mosquito repellent
Mosquito bites are most commonly itchy and form either a raised, red bump or a hard, red bump on your skin. While these bites are annoying and can quickly spoil a summer BBQ, they aren't the only reason you should consider using repellent. Some mosquitoes can carry a variety of disease-causing pathogens, a few of which can be deadly. In the United States, one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases includes West Nile virus, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Like most residential and commercially available pest treatments, the pros and cons of mosquito spraying need to be carefully weighed. It's important to do your research to make an informed decision about the best mosquito spray for your yard.
What you should know about yard spray for mosquitoes
It's important to know that mosquito sprays for the yard will usually only repel mosquitoes as opposed to eliminating them. Instead of repelling mosquitoes, Terminix uses a mosquito treatment product that can reduce mosquitoes. The mosquito spray we use begins working immediately to reduce mosquito populations in your yard while creating a barrier of protection that can last weeks. Our technicians will apply the product without causing damage to pollinators. Terminix professionals are trained to apply the product in accordance with EPA regulations to help ensure the environment is protected.
Mosquitoes bite humans and pets because they require protein found in blood to nourish their eggs. Hot, humid temperatures and standing water create an ideal environment where mosquitoes can thrive. Mosquitoes come out when the temperature rises above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that, in most areas of the U.S., peak mosquito season lasts from the spring through the fall, which is when you should spray for mosquitoes.
How effective are mosquito sprays?
Mosquito sprays can vary in effectiveness, depending on the active ingredients and the concentration of ingredients that are present. Mosquito repellents containing DEET can keep mosquitoes away and are recommended by the CDC, along with other EPA-registered repellents. When you spray a mosquito repellent in your yard, its effectiveness can also depend on a few other factors, like the weather, the environment you live in, and if the spray was applied properly.
In order for mosquito sprays to be effective, they need to be applied properly in the right areas and in the right concentration. Although there are several commercially available mosquito sprays for the yard on the market, a knowledgeable mosquito control professional will be able to help determine the proper application for more effective results and use their expertise to help identify potential breeding grounds in your yard where mosquitoes thrive. Plus, a mosquito control professional has access to professional-grade mosquito sprays, which are more effective than over-the-counter methods.
How fast does mosquito spray work?
Depending on the product used, a mosquito repellent may start working as soon as it's sprayed onto your yard when used correctly. If you choose to take the DIY route to treating your yard for mosquitoes, be sure to follow label instructions. However, a professional mosquito control specialist can better advise you on the most effective treatments for your yard. Terminix's mosquito treatment service begins working immediately following application and can last for weeks.
How effective are DIY or natural mosquito repellents?
The most commonly used mosquito repellent sprays contain DEET and are used by more than 50 million Americans each year to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Some essential oils, such as lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, and citronella, have also been used to help repel mosquitoes. Although these are popular DIY treatments, using essential oils for mosquito repellent is not as effective as using DEET.
In addition, homemade mosquito yard sprays can cause skin reactions in certain people if improperly mixed or applied. If you are making a natural mosquito repellent, you don't have official advisories to tell you how to apply it and what dosages are safe. Consumer-grade and professional-grade mosquito repellent sprays are labeled to ensure proper usage.
While a pest control specialist can help you determine the most effective way to treat your yard for mosquitoes, there are several ways to guard yourself and your family from mosquito bites without having to apply commercially available sprays to your body. The CDC recommends taking smart measures, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and covering strollers with mosquito netting to help prevent mosquito bites.
The effectiveness of consumer-grade vs. professional-grade mosquito sprays
Depending on the product, sprays available to homeowners can last up to a few hours or several days. It's a good idea to plan the application of these products based on when you'll be spending time outside in your yard. Professional applications tend to last longer because licensed pest control specialists have expertise and access to professional-grade products and can administer them using a more effective method. In many instances, professional applications with microencapsulated formulations can last for a month before your protection begins to degrade. Furthermore, some mosquito sprays, like those used by Terminix, can actually eliminate mosquitoes, as opposed to just repelling them.
Is mosquito spray harmful to humans, pets, or the environment?
Some of the most common active ingredients in lawn, landscape, yard, and garden insecticides have some level of toxicity. This means it's important for your family and pets to not enter the yard until after the spray has dried. Mosquito repellents are formulated to only target the desired species and have little to no impact on the environment when used properly. Some DIY pesticides can also be toxic to honey bees and other pollinators, impacting crop production. The ASPCA advises against using mosquito repellents containing DEET on dogs and cats, as they can develop health problems due to sensitivities to this compound. However, several pet-friendly mosquito products are available today and are effective when used according to the label instructions.
Will mosquito spray work on fleas, ticks, ants, cockroaches, or spiders?
Over-the-counter mosquito sprays that contain DEET may also work to repel fleas and ticks. However, they do not repel ants, cockroaches, or spiders.
Over-the-counter mosquito sprays that contain DEET may also work to repel fleas and ticks. That being said, mosquito spray does not repel ants, cockroaches, or spiders. Terminix professional mosquito sprays are specially formulated to target and eliminate mosquitoes. Although a mosquito service may not get rid of other types of pests, Terminix does offer many types of pest control. Learn more about the ways we control the following pests:
Mosquito spray effectiveness applied on your skin
Mosquito bites can cause itchy red welts, and at worst, they can carry pathogens that cause diseases and viruses like West Nile. That's why many opt for mosquito repellents made specifically for use on clothing and skin so they are protected when camping, hiking, or enjoying the outdoors. These repellents generally work by interfering with the female mosquito's ability to detect a host. However, in extreme cases, mosquito spray can cause allergic or systemic reactions in some people. Before using any mosquito spray, it is important to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions printed on the packaging.
Tips for mosquito control
For many, a professional mosquito spray service is the best option. Professionals know exactly how to apply mosquito spray to your yard and what to look for when spotting mosquito infestations. They also have access to professional-grade products, which are more effective than consumer products bought at the store. In addition to spraying your yard for mosquitoes, here are some tips to help control mosquito populations:
Trim areas of high grass. Mosquitoes like to hide in tall grass, so keep your yard trimmed.
Get rid of standing water. Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, so if you have places on your property where water pools, such as old tires, birth baths, flower pots, or even areas as small as a bottle cap, be sure to clean it up after it rains. Also, make sure areas around pools and gutters are dry.
Contact a professional. Professional mosquito control companies like Terminix can help effectively eliminate mosquitoes. Learn other useful tips for getting rid of mosquitoes.
Terminix mosquito control treatments do more than repel these pests—they eliminate them, allowing you to enjoy warm weather outside without the worry of mosquitoes spoiling your fun.
At Terminix, our team of mosquito control professionals can help curb your mosquito problem so you can enjoy your outdoor space. We provide one-time and ongoing mosquito treatments, as well as our unique mosquito repellent system that creates on-demand zones of protection for your outdoor spaces like patios, decks, and inground pools. Contact us today to learn more about our mosquito control services.
