How to Kill Mosquitoes Outside

Mosquitoes are incredibly annoying pests that leave itchy welts when they bite. They also sometimes transport dangerous diseases like malaria, West Nile virus, and yellow fever. In this article, find out how to kill mosquitoes outside safely and naturally.

When it comes to killing mosquitoes in the garden, it’s critical to remember that frequent and widespread use of insecticide sprays throughout your yard also kills beneficial insects and is detrimental to the environment.

Still, there are ways to reduce the mosquito population and keep them away without spraying harmful chemicals. If your mosquito problem is severe, it might be necessary to hire a professional pest control company like Mosquito Joe, Orkin, or Terminix.

Best Tips and Tricks for Killing Mosquitoes in the Garden

By making a few changes around your property and staying proactive with your mosquito control regimen, you can kill mosquitoes in your yard and prevent them from returning in large numbers.

You may wonder what colors attract mosquitoes. Along with mosquito control, wear lighter colors when outside. They prefer dark colors.

Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite? Males eat flower nectar, but a female mosquito needs the protein from animal or human blood for egg production.

The length of a mosquito’s life cycle varies between species and also depends on environmental factors like moisture and temperature. On average, mosquitoes live for one to four weeks. There are over 3,000 different species of mosquitoes, with more than 200 just in the United States.

A female mosquito lays over 100 eggs at a time, which hatch into mosquito larvae within 48 hours. They remain in water through the larval and pupal stages. In general, the mosquito life cycle is shorter in hot weather.

Slow-moving and stagnant water sources are an ideal mosquito breeding ground. Try to eliminate places on your property where water tends to collect. Avoid leaving pet dishes full of water outdoors when your pets are inside.

Empty plant saucers and watering cans regularly, and clear rainwater off pool covers and outdoor furniture right after a storm. Make a DIY mosquito net for patio and outside areas where you spend the most time.

Installing a misting system for your patio is another excellent way to keep mosquitoes and other insect pests away while keeping you and your family cool on hot summer days. Most types of insects can’t fly through the fine water droplets.

Avoid using insecticide in your mister. Pyrethrin, the main active ingredient in most mister insecticides, also kills beneficial insects. A bug zapper isn’t the best solution, either. They’re not very efficient, and they kill harmless and helpful insects, too.

Kill Mosquitoes in Your Yard with a DIY Mosquito Trap

Mosquito traps are available for purchase at most hardware stores and garden centers. Or, try making a super-simple DIY version of many different types of homemade mosquito traps. You may be surprised at the great results.

Combine one cup of tap water with one cup of sugar and bring the solution to a rolling boil. Pour in two cups of cool water. When the liquid cools to 90℉, stir in one teaspoon of active dry yeast.

For a mosquito infestation in backyard spaces, cut a large plastic bottle just above the halfway point and pour the sugar water mixture into the bottom part. Insert the top half of the bottle upside-down without the cap into the bottom and secure the rim with tape.

Place your mosquito trap on your patio or in your garden, wherever you see high levels of insect activity. Mosquitoes are attracted to the sugar and yeast combination. They fly into the bottle where they get stuck and drown.

It’s also possible to make a mosquito trap with soapy water for killing mosquitoes in your backyard or to kill flies outside. Squirt some liquid soap into a dish of water without mixing or agitating it, and leave it out in mosquito-prone areas.

Mosquitoes are normally able to stand on water due to surface tension. The soap reduces the surface tension, so mosquitoes drown when they land. This solution is also one way to trap flies that are bothering you outside.

How to Kill Mosquitoes Outside with Neem Oil

Neem oil is extracted from the fruits and seeds of neem trees, which are native to India. It acts as both a natural insecticide as well as an effective mosquito repellent. Neem oil kills adult mosquitoes and mosquito larva on contact.

To make a mosquito killer yard spray and kill mosquitoes at home, dilute two tablespoons of neem oil per one gallon of water. Spray adult mosquitoes directly to get rid of mosquitoes. This mosquito spray also makes a great insect repellent for your skin.

To kill the larvae, pour one teaspoon of neem oil into stagnant or slow-moving water sources where mosquito eggs may be present. Frequent problem areas include rain barrels and fountains. The oil from this spray stays on the water’s surface and smothers the mosquito eggs and larvae.

Homemade Mosquito Killer Spray for the Yard

Sometimes simple solutions turn out to be some of the best. Soapy water is a surprisingly effective insecticide, and mosquitoes are no exception. Making your own insecticidal soap is remarkably easy, and it also works against other common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.

To make this homemade mosquito spray for yard areas, combine the ingredients in a clean spray bottle and shake it for a few seconds to blend. Spray mosquitoes as they’re flying through the air or wherever they land.

Kill Mosquito Larvae with a Mosquito Dunk

A mosquito dunk is a safe, natural way to kill mosquito larvae in water. They release a bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis or Bti, that’s toxic to mosquito larvae but doesn’t harm birds, fish, or mammals.

It’s an excellent mosquito killer for ponds, water troughs, and other water features. One mosquito dunk lasts up to 30 days.

Repel Mosquitoes with a Citronella Candle or Tiki Torch

Citronella is one of the best-known insect repellent ingredients. Burning a citronella candle or tiki torches with citronella oil around your backyard works wonderfully to keep annoying pests away. If you don’t enjoy the scent of citronella, lemon eucalyptus candles or tiki torch oil also repels mosquitoes.

Make Homemade Mosquito Repellent with Essential Oil

There are numerous essential oils with powerful insecticidal and insect repellent capabilities. Some of the most effective include citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree oil. Add 15-20 drops of essential oils to backyard mosquito sprays or as a natural outdoor gnat repellent for extra potency.

Fortunately, many of these essential oils for repelling mosquitoes also help soothe the itching and irritation after you get a mosquito bite. Try this easy recipe for essential oil mosquito spray.

Combine the essential oils with the apple cider vinegar or witch hazel in a Mason jar or other lidded container. Screw the lid on securely and shake the jar vigorously to blend the ingredients.

Use a funnel to pour the essential oil mixture into a small spray bottle. For the best results, use a dark-colored glass bottle. Otherwise, be sure to store your essential oil pest repellent out of direct light.

Plants that Repel Mosquitoes

A crucial part of controlling mosquitoes around your yard is to create an environment they don’t like. Companion planting with pest repellent flowers, herbs, and shrubs provides natural mosquito control without much effort.

What plant keeps mosquitoes away? Basil, catnip, eucalyptus, fennel, lavender, lemongrass, marigolds, mint, rosemary, and thyme are all practical for repelling mosquitoes and other pest insects. In addition, many of these attract predatory insects that help to control pest populations.

Before resorting to harsher pest control tactics like a chemical fogger, try one of these safe and natural ways of killing mosquitoes in the garden. Your efforts to kill mosquitoes in your yard will be most successful when you combine several tactics that target mosquitoes in all of the stages of their life cycle.

In addition to killing the current pest population, it’s crucial to take steps toward repelling mosquitoes and preventing the problem from becoming too severe again.

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