How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Backyard: 7 Effective Tips!

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Mosquitoes are annoying. They fly around, buzz in your ear, and make you itch. On top of that, mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous animals on earth because they can carry deadly diseases. In this article, we will discuss how to get rid of mosquitoes in your backyard effectively so that you can enjoy a mosquito-free summer!

While summer is a great time to be outside, it also means it is mosquito season. And we’re here to help you get rid of these mosquitoes lingering around your house and prevent mosquito bites.

To make your backyard more enjoyable for your family and guests, we’ve compiled this guide on how to get rid of mosquitoes. Getting rid of the mosquitoes in your yard will likely require using several of the tips listed in this article.

About Mosquitoes

The mosquito is the most dangerous animal/insect in the world! Killing nearly 1 million people per year, there are more deaths worldwide associated with mosquitoes than any other animal.

The largest threat from mosquitoes comes from their ability to transmit diseases. Some of these diseases can be life-threatening, such as malaria, yellow fever, Zika virus, and West Nile virus.

Adult mosquitoes typically only live a few weeks to a few months and usually don’t travel far.

However, adult mosquitoes are excellent reproducers and can lay up to 100 eggs at a time. The mosquito eggs can hatch within a few days or dry out and hatch up to 8 months later.

Surprisingly, not all mosquitoes bite humans.

The male mosquitoes feed on nectar, while the female mosquitoes feed on human and animal blood. This is because the female mosquitoes need the protein from the blood for their reproduction purposes.

When you get a mosquito bite, you’re typically left with a red and itchy bump. This bump is a result of an allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Backyard

If mosquitoes treat your home like it’s their home, it’s time to kick them out. It’s nearly impossible to kill every mosquito, but you can adopt some tactful measures to get rid of as many of these bloodsuckers as possible.

Let’s see how to get rid of mosquitoes in your backyard.

Here are a few great ways to get rid of and repel mosquitoes (and other bugs).

1) Eliminate Standing Water

You’ll almost always find swarms of mosquitoes hanging out near bodies of water.

All species of mosquitoes use water to lay eggs, so eliminating standing water is the most effective way to keep mosquitoes from reproducing in your yard.

Mosquitoes are great at laying eggs. Mosquitoes are known for their ability to mass reproduce, so it’s important to remove any standing water in your yard to prevent a mosquito breeding ground.

Closely analyze the areas of your backyard.

Any undrained water in your backyard? Or did you overwater the plants earlier this morning? Are the sprinklers running too long?

Any of these areas containing water can cause an increase in mosquitoes. This means no stagnant water in your bird baths.

If you can’t eliminate the standing water in your yard, consider using mosquito dunks or BTI bits (or bacillus thuringiensis israelensis).

You can place the mosquito dunks or the BTI bits directly in any standing water, and they work by killing the mosquito larvae.

The best part about these methods is that the active chemical (BTI) is not toxic to humans, animals, plants, and many other insects.

Using BTI is our favorite method of mosquito control since it is safe and effective! I mix the BTI bits with water and use the mixture to water my plants if mosquitoes and gnats start taking over my garden.

2) Buy a Mosquito Zapper (Bug Zapper)

One of the best investments you can make on your road to kill mosquitoes is getting a mosquito zapper.

Mosquito zappers use ultraviolet light (or other attractors) to attract mosquitoes, trap them within their casing, and “zap” them with an electrical charge. These may also be called mosquito traps.

Some of these devices can reduce the mosquito population for an area up to 2,000+ square feet. In addition, these devices are effective and extremely easy to use.

Our favorite feature of mosquito zappers (or bug zappers) is that they are safe and don’t require any chemicals. This means you don’t have to worry about your kids or pets ingesting something that wasn’t meant for them.

Here are some of the other best values below:

3) Install a Fan in Your Backyard

There’s nothing like having a nice fan blowing some air to keep you cool during summers. But did you know this could also help keep mosquitoes away? 

Mosquitoes are weak fliers and don’t do well in environments with heavy airflow.

Mosquitoes hate hanging out in areas where it’s hard to fly, so try to keep them on the move.

If you install a fan or two in your backyard, the heavy airflow will discourage the mosquitoes from getting too close to you.

This method won’t eliminate any mosquitoes but will at least keep them at bay. Try it out!

4) Regularly Trim the Grass

Using the lawnmower isn’t the first instinct to remove mosquitoes, but many mosquitoes like to hang out and reproduce in dense and overgrown vegetation. It’s easier to kill mosquito larvae than to kill hundreds of adult mosquitoes.

Overgrown grass can provide a wet and protective area that attracts mosquitoes and gives them an ideal place to reproduce.

Try keeping your lawn properly maintained. With a trimmed lawn, mosquitoes won’t have protected damp conditions to hide in and lay their eggs.  

5) Get Mosquito Nets

Mosquito nets have been used for centuries. In a time before insecticides and mosquito repellents, mosquito nets were the most effective way to prevent mosquitoes from entering your space. 

Lucky for us, mosquito nets are still effective, especially since many of them today come pre-treated with long-lasting insecticide. 

Many like to use the netting on their porches and gazebos. The netting is especially nice if you want to have dinner outside and don’t want to deal with spraying repellant everywhere.

If you’re looking to have a full porch area netted, many companies can install a customized net setup. If you’re looking for simple netting or can set it up yourself, then check out some of the mosquito nets on Amazon below.

6) Mosquito Repellent (Or Insect Repellent)

Never doubt the results of an effective mosquito repellent.

Using repellant is a go-to option to get rid of mosquitoes, and for a good reason.

You can implement two types of repellent methods in your backyard: chemical repellent sprays and natural mosquito repellents.

Chemical Repellent Sprays

Repellent sprays are affordable, easy to use, and effective. As the name indicates, they are great for repelling mosquitoes.

It’s always a good idea to have some bug spray and/or mosquito repellent handy.

The great thing about repellents is that they are easier than ever to apply. Most repellents come in spray form now, which makes them easy to apply to clothing and skin.

You can find a mosquito repellant at almost any general store. However, we recommend using a mosquito repellant from a reputable brand such as Off!, Repel, Cutter, etc.

The active ingredient in most repellents is DEET, which is very effective and safe for humans. However, DEET can be toxic to animals, so make sure not to use it on your pets.

Natural Mosquito Repellents

Many brands have also developed all-natural blends for those who want to take a more natural approach to keep mosquitoes away.

These natural blends are specifically for those who want to take a more holistic approach to fight off mosquitoes without having any adverse effects on their health or how they interact with nature.

Some brands, for example, offer a line of mosquito repellents made with natural ingredients like soybean oil and citronella.

These products are often marketed as safer to use around children or sensitive populations such as pregnant women because they aren’t putting harsh chemicals on the skin.

Others prefer methods like using citronella candles, which emit a scent that mosquitoes hate. Thus, keeping them at a distance.

Another natural method to keep mosquitoes away includes using plants. There are several plants that mosquitoes hate the scent of and will help keep them away.

7) Get Professional Help

If all else fails, call in the professionals!

A professional pest control company can help you get rid of all those pesky critters in your backyard.

Sometimes, the problem goes beyond the standard tools and treatments you can buy online, so it may be worth giving your local pest control company a call to see if they can help your mosquito issues.

Most times, they can provide incredible results that make the cost well worth it, especially if you want to host guests this summer!

Conclusion: How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Backyard

Mosquitoes and other insects are hard to get rid of. Therefore, you should try to implement as many methods as possible to keep your yard mosquito-free.

We can’t get rid of all the mosquitoes surrounding our neighborhood, but we can control mosquitoes within our immediate property.

So try using as many (or all) of the control methods at the same time. Even try introducing some beneficial insects to your yard (see link).

It may take a little time, money, and effort to make your backyard “mosquito-proof,” but it’s worth keeping your guests comfortable and family safe from mosquito bites.

We hope you enjoyed our tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes in your backyard. Let us know if you have any other tips you’d like to add.

Good luck getting rid of those pesky mosquitoes! Shoot us a message if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do Mosquitoes Live?

Most mosquitoes live up to a few weeks, but some can live as long as a couple of months if they can survive their predators. The life span varies from one mosquito species to another.

What Eats Mosquitoes?

Many animals and insects eat mosquitoes, including bats, birds, dragonflies, and fish.

Some fish varieties, such as catfish, bluegill, bass, guppies, and goldfish, prey on mosquito larvae.

There are even some species of mosquitoes that prey on other types of mosquitoes!

What Do Mosquitoes Eat?

Both male and female mosquitoes feed on plant sap, nectar, and honeydew, catering to their nutritional requirements.

However, female mosquitoes also feed on human and animal blood. This is because human and animal blood provides the protein needed by female mosquitoes to reproduce.

What Are Aedes Mosquitoes?

Aedes mosquitoes are also known as yellow fever mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of numerous health problems among people.

Some of the most common health problems are Mayaro, Zika fever, Chikungunya, Dengue fever, and other similar yellow fever viruses.

You can easily recognize these mosquitoes by their white-colored markings on the legs. You most commonly see the Aedes mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions.

Why Do Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears?

The buzzing sound comes from their wings. Mosquitoes tend to buzz all around our bodies, particularly in places where they find an attractive scent.

Mosquitoes are attracted to CO2 (carbon dioxide), so they tend to hang out by our faces where we exhale. But typically, we don’t notice the mosquitoes flying by us unless they are flying by our face or ears, where we can hear and see them.