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October 17, 2023

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    Nothing disrupts summer quite like mosquitoes. With their painful bites, irritating buzzing, and potential to spread disease, these pests can easily spoil your outdoor summer fun.

    Mosquitoes are not easily controlled. During the height of mosquito season, they can easily get out of hand, especially if you live close to a source of standing water like a pond or swamp.

    While the best way to control mosquitoes is to attack them while they are still water-dwelling larvae, don’t despair if you already have adults swarming your property. You can control the adults easily with yard sprays. In this article, I’ll go over the best yard sprays for mosquitoes.

    If you want professional help keeping your home and keeping your yard free of mosquitoes, click one of the below buttons to get connected with a trusted pest control expert in your area.

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    Why Are Yard Sprays Effective for Mosquito Control?

    First, when I say mosquito spray or yard spray, I mean products you spray in your yard to kill and repel mosquitoes over a wide area. These are not the same as insect repellants that you spray on your skin, which keep mosquitoes away but don’t actually kill them.

    Mosquitoes can’t fly 24/7 (though it seems that way when they are buzzing in your face). Eventually, they have to rest. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk, dawn, and at night. During the heat of the day, they sleep on grass, leaves, and in flowerbeds.

    Spraying this type of vegetation while the mosquitoes are resting there kills them almost instantly. The sprays also leave a residue that repels mosquitoes for a few hours to several days (depending on the product and the application).


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    The 3 Best Natural Yard Sprays for Mosquitoes

    In general, natural options are safer than chemical pesticides and cause less harm to other organisms, but they might have slightly less long-term killing power for extreme mosquito problems.

    Over the years, both at home and as a working pest control technician, I’ve tried out countless sprays. Here are a few great natural options for mosquito sprays that I’ve found:

    1) Essentria IC3

    While the name of this spray is a bit intimidating, its active ingredients are all-natural. The main mosquito-killing ingredients in IC3 are rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and geraniol 600 (found in rose oil, palmarosa oil, and citronella oil).

    The all-natural pesticides found in IC3 are safe for use around water as well as for family and pets, which is definitely not true of some harsher chemical pesticides. IC3 works by blocking a neurotransmitter (octopamine) in arthropods to disrupt their nervous system. IC3 doesn’t harm other organisms because only arthropods use this neurotransmitter.

    IC3 kills insects on contact and will also kill insects after application through residue left on leaves. The residue can stay active for 2–4 weeks.

    And if you’re worried that natural ingredients won’t work — don’t be. Studies have demonstrated the power of IC3 against arthropods. One particular study showed that IC3 is just as good as pytheroids (a common class of pesticides). Peppermint oil in particular is an effective repellant against other pests like spiders.

    2) Wondercide

    Wondercide uses cedar oil, but has also proven effective against arthropods. Wondercide is also very easy to use because it can be attached to any garden hose to spray large areas quickly.

    Wondercide and other cedar oil products work by damaging the insects’ exoskeletons. This damage causes water to evaporate out of the insect, drying them out and killing them. The strongly scented oil can also interfere with pheromone communication.

    Unlike IC3, Wondercide takes a few initial applications close together (7–10 days apart) to establish control over pests in the yard. After that, you may reapply every 30–45 days. As with any pest control product, your needs may differ from what the label says, so keep your eyes open for new mosquitoes.

    3) Mosquito Barrier

    A third natural option, Mosquito Barrier uses yet another new natural ingredient — garlic. Mosquitoes have an extremely sharp sense of smell, and potent garlic that isn’t discernable to humans is extremely repellent to mosquitoes.

    To apply Mosquito Barrier, you mix 4 ounces with a gallon of water and spray on foliage an hour before sundown. You shouldn’t spray right after rain or if it’s going to rain within 24–48 hours. Studies have found Mosquito Barrier kills between 90–100% of mosquitoes after 24 hours.

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    The 2 Best Chemical Yard Sprays for Mosquitoes

    While natural options are often a better choice because they don’t harm larger organisms, sometimes a severe problem warrants a chemical intervention.

    Chemical pesticides are much harsher, so they have more long-term killing power. However, these chemicals are often as dangerous to other animals and humans as they are to insects, so it’s important to use them carefully.

    1) Bifen IT

    Bifen IT is a very effective pesticide that controls a wide range of pests. It is reported to control 75 different insect pests, including mosquitoes. It lasts a long time, too — up to 3 months.

    The active ingredient in Bifen IT, bifenthrin, works by attacking insects’ nervous systems, paralyzing them. Because it doesn’t attack specific neurotransmitters like some of the natural treatments above, it’s also toxic to humans and other animals in large doses.

    When used as directed, it’s very safe for mammals. Bifen IT is one of the best pesticides for mosquitoes. Studies have demonstrated that it works even better for the long-term prevention of mosquitoes than permethrin, one of the most regularly used pesticides.

    2) Summit Mosquito and Gnat Barrier

    This product comes from the makers of Mosquito Dunks, a pesticide-free product for controlling mosquito larvae. Summit Mosquito and Gnat Barrier uses pesticides in a hose-end sprayer format to easily and widely attack your mosquito population.

    The active ingredient in this product is permethrin, which is a commonly used synthetic pesticide designed to mimic toxic compounds found in plants. Like bifenthrin, it is a neurotoxin that eventually paralyzes insects.

    While it works the same way as Bifen IT, this and other products containing permethrin usually have a faster immediate killing ability, so they will definitely do the job if you need to quickly handle a mosquito problem. It is toxic to other animals in large doses, though, especially cats. When applying this spray, keep children and pets out of the area until the spray has fully dried.


    Mosquito Spray vs. Mosquito Traps

    Mosquito sprays are repellents applied directly to your environment, creating a barrier that deters mosquitoes from landing. Mosquito traps use attractants to lure mosquitoes into a device where they are trapped or killed.

    Below, I explain several key differences between the two:

    Effectiveness

    • Mosquito sprays provide fast protection by killing off the mosquitoes in your yard immediately.
    • Mosquito traps target mosquitoes over a more extended period. They can reduce mosquito populations in specific areas over time.

    Cost Analysis

    • Mosquito sprays generally have a higher initial cost.
    • Mosquito traps have a lower initial cost but may add up in the long run for large areas or ongoing mosquito control.

    Targeted Control

    • Mosquito sprays offer targeted protection in your yard.
    • Mosquito traps can effectively reduce mosquito populations around homes.

    Combining Methods

    Combining mosquito repellent sprays with mosquito traps for area-wide control can offer comprehensive mosquito management.

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    How to Protect Bees When Spraying

    The unfortunate reality of every mosquito repellent spray is that it will be harmful to bees and other insects as well. The best way to protect bees when you are spraying for mosquitoes is to spray in the right places.

    Avoid any flowering or soon-to-be-flowering plants, especially if using strong mosquito spray rather than something plant-based. Aim as close to the ground as possible to minimize any aerial distribution of pesticides.

    best mosquito sprays for yards

    What Are Other Ways to Control Mosquitoes?

    Sprays are not the only way to control mosquitoes. Often, even the best mosquito repellents are not even the best way to control them.

    Here are some other pesticide-free strategies for mosquito control:

    • Target mosquito larvae
    • Use mosquito repellent
    • Set up bug zappers
    • Employ mosquito predators

    Kill the Larvae

    Mosquito larvae live near the surface of still water (like small yard ponds, birdbaths, or clogged gutters), so they are a lot easier to kill than flying adults. There are a lot of ways to kill mosquito larvae, such as Mosquito Dunks, mosquito-eating fish, and simply removing any standing water from your property.

    Repel Instead of Killing

    As much as we hate mosquitoes, they are a vital part of the ecosystem, so sometimes it’s better to just repel them instead of killing them. Mosquito repellant spray containing DEET or OLE can help keep mosquitoes away by obscuring your smell. They don’t kill mosquitoes, but they will keep them from bothering you.

    Citronella candles and essential oils like cedarwood work great for repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects like chiggers and ticks. The downside to using these types of solutions in your outdoor space is they merely provide a few hours of protection at a time.

    Plant-based, natural mosquito repellent also works well, creating temporary mosquito-free zones. Plus, they won’t harm any of the beneficial insects hanging out in and around your landscaping like standard bug repellent and commercial bug spray.

    Use a Bug Zapper

    Insects are universally attracted to light, so a bug zapper is a great strategy for attracting and then killing mosquitoes. Plus it’s a passive solution, so you don’t have to do anything after setting it up. You can enhance the effect by using CO2 or octenol bait to attract even more mosquitoes.

    Just make sure you place your bug zapper and lures at least 25-50 feet away from your home to avoid attracting mosquitoes to humans. As far as ease of use is concerned, this option is one of the very best.

    Don’t Interfere with Mosquito Predators

    This is a passive strategy, but still an important one to consider when making your mosquito-prevention plan. Mosquitoes have a lot of natural predators, including dragonflies, spiders, bats, and birds.

    Birds are the most significant predators of mosquitoes. If you have a lot of natural mosquito predators on and around your property, it pays to use natural mosquito repellent rather than insecticides and bug repellent.


    When is it Time to Call a Professional?

    The best mosquito repellents are extremely helpful, but sometimes the problem is too big for them to solve. That’s when it’s time to call in a professional pest control company to help out.

    The following points help you identify whether or not it’s time for you to seek professional help:

    Identify Severe Infestations

    Look for signs such as a high mosquito population, frequent mosquito-borne diseases, or increased mosquito breeding sites in your area. This sort of information is typically available via your local government.

    Expertise and Equipment

    Professional pest control services have access to specialized equipment like misting systems and expertise in mosquito control techniques. The gear used by the pros is much more effective than the store-bought insecticide you get from Amazon or Walmart.

    Professional treatments kill mosquitoes and other flying insects more effectively than most DIY methods. They also cover more square footage and last longer.

    Disease Concerns

    Frequent mosquito bites, especially when you are taking active steps to repel and kill mosquitoes, are a tell-tale sign that it’s time for professional help. In regions with mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus or Zika virus, professional mosquito control becomes vital for public health.

    Community Efforts

    Sometimes, community-wide mosquito control programs are necessary, especially in areas where individual efforts are insufficient. Thankfully, in the U.S., most county governments stay on top of mosquito populations and employ regular spraying.

    Tips for Hiring Professionals

    When seeking professional mosquito control, choose a licensed and reputable pest control service. Verify their credentials, request references, and understand the scope of their services.

    If you want professional mosquito protection to keep your home and yard free of pests, click one of the below buttons to get connected with a trusted pest control expert in your area.


    FAQs About Mosquito Sprays

    When is the best time of day to spray the yard for mosquitoes?

    Theoretically, the best time to spray mosquitoes to kill them would be during the day since this is when they will resting on your vegetation. It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.
    However, this is a bad idea because this is also when pollinators and other important insects are most active. So most pest control specialists recommend spraying at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are active but bees are not. Ultimately, for a residual spray it won’t matter a ton in the long term. Residual sprays maintain a lethal level of pesticide residue on plants over time so the mosquitoes will land on it eventually.


    What time of year should I spray for mosquitoes?

    This depends on where you live, so check your mosquito season! Since mosquito sprays are meant to kill adults, there isn’t much of a point in treating any earlier than the start of the active mosquito season. Once you start seeing mosquitoes, start spraying. Any earlier might do more harm than good.


    How often should I respray?

    Check the manufacturer’s recommendations, but a good rule of thumb is once every month or so for most products, especially if you start seeing more mosquitoes. You may even be able to avoid respraying if you manage to set up some other prevention and larval-killing strategies in the downtime.


    Are mosquito sprays safe for dogs?

    Mosquito spray products are often labeled safe for pets if used correctly, but pesticides like permethrin are toxic in general.

    If you have strong concerns about your pet’s health, you can go with a natural spray, just in case. Be very careful with insect repellants and pets, as DEET is highly toxic to pets and is often licked off by mistake. Permethrin- based repellants are much safer for dogs (though they can be toxic to cats).


    Will mosquito sprays kill other pests like ticks or fleas?

    Most mosquito sprays contain ingredients that are harmful to all insects, so any extra pests in your yard will probably die off as well. However, mosquito spray will not get rid of a flea problem in your home because you only spray it outside. You absolutely should not use it as a flea treatment – mosquito yard sprays are not designed for use on animal skin and fur.


    How much spray do I need for my yard?

    That all depends on the product and the yard! Mosquito sprays are generally meant to be diluted if you are going to spray a wide area, and there will be instructions for creating the right concentration for your purpose on the packaging, so make sure to check there. Diluting with mineral oil instead of water increases the effectiveness of pesticides, but mineral oil is highly toxic to plants, so it may not work very well for a yard spray.


    What mosquito sprays are best during pregnancy?

    If you have any concerns about chemical exposure during pregnancy, talk to your doctor, and consider using a natural spray instead of a chemical pesticide. That said, the real risks of pesticide exposure for pregnant women occur after long-term exposure. So a treatment or two of mosquito spray is unlikely to cause any harm.


    Article Update Log
    9/11/2023
    Reviewed for accuracy, cost data, industry best practices, and expert advice by Jordan Tyler Quinn Farkas.
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    Jordan Tyler Quinn Farkas

    Expert Writer & Reviewer

    Jordan Tyler Quinn Farkas is a globetrotting content writer hailing from the USA. With a passion for pest control, he brings a unique perspective to his writing from his early years working for one of the largest pest control companies in America. Throughout his early 20s, Jordan gained valuable experience and knowledge in the field, tackling pest infestations head-on and ensuring the well-being of countless homes.

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    Lora Novak

    Senior Editor

    Lora Novak meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years of writing, editing, and digital marketing expertise. She’s worked on thousands of articles related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance, and other general homeownership topics.

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