4 Steps to Ultimate Mosquito Control

Step 1 - Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds

The first step in gaining mosquito control over your property is to determine where mosquitoes are breeding and eliminate those breeding grounds whenever possible. Since mosquitoes spend 2 of the 4 stages of their life cycle in water, and female mosquitoes need water to breed, water sources are not only mosquito breeding grounds but often the heart of your mosquito infestation.

Any areas where water is allowed to collect and lay stagnate on your property are prime breeding sources for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes inhabit areas like old tires, empty flower pots, rain gutters, swamps, ponds, in puddles on tarps, in pet's food and water dishes, wading pools and hot tubs, bird baths, and rain barrels. It is vital to make sure that you are not creating multiple breeding grounds for mosquitoes by allowing water to collect in abandoned items around your property. Frequently emptying items that have retained standing water will prevent mosquitoes from using them as breeding grounds.

Mosquito dunks and mosquito bits are effective mosquito control products that eliminate mosquitoes in water sources. Mosquito Bits and dunks use B.T.I. a bacterium that controls mosquitoes and black flies in their larval feeding stages of development before they have a chance to grow into mature adult mosquitoes. Mosquito Dunks float on the surface of water sources and last up to 30 days. Mosquito Bits are effective for up to 2 weeks and are simply applied by sprinkling the bits in the water source. Simply toss either mosquito bits or mosquito dunks into ponds or swamps and which will quickly kill developing mosquito larvae.

Step 2 - Draw mosquitoes away from your living area with mosquito traps

The most effective mosquito traps use a combination of CO2 and various attractants to create human and animal-like characteristics that trick mosquitoes into thinking the trap is a living host. Mosquito traps are able to control the mosquito population by luring mosquitoes away from you and your outdoor living area and into the trap where they dehydrate and die. Mosquito traps are one of the most effective methods of mosquito control because they start killing mosquitoes right away and within 4 weeks they interrupt the breeding cycle to prevent future mosquito generations from becoming a nuisance.

Mosquito traps are available in a wide variety of models that offer different areas of coverage, use different lures and attractants, some are cordless and others are operated with power cords. The Mosquito Magnet and SkeeterVac models are propane powered mosquito traps which have been proven to have the upper hand on controlling mosquito populations. This is because when clean burning propane is processed through a catalytic combustion system you get warm CO2 and moisture as a result. Mosquito Magnet and SkeeterVac traps use the produced CO2 and moisture as mosquito attractants which mimic human breath.

Mosquito Magnet and SkeeterVac mosquito traps use octenol to attract and kill mosquitoes and are also Lurex compatible to attract aggressive day biters like the Asian Tiger Mosquito. Most Mosquito Magnet and SkeeterVac trap models are cordless and the models that aren't come with long power cords so the mosquito trap can be placed in or as close to mosquito breeding sites as possible. SkeeterVac mosquito traps also have a little bit of an advantage on achieving high catch rates because they have tac strips that stick to the outside of the trap. The dark color on the tac strip attracts mosquitoes to the trap where the powerful fan draws them close enough to get stuck to the sticky tac strip where they dehydrate and die.

Mosquito traps like the Mega-Catch and DynaTrap models can be used both indoors and outdoors. Mega-Catch mosquito traps use octenol as an attractant for outdoor mosquito control and a combination of intermittent and UV light frequencies to attract and kill mosquitoes indoors. Mosquitoes drawn to the Mega-Catch mosquito trap are collected in the Catch Bag or Liquid Catch Container. DynaTrap mosquito traps eliminate mosquitoes both indoors and outdoors without the use of chemicals. Instead, DynaTrap models effectively lure and kill mosquitoes using UV florescent bulbs and a powerful fan that draws mosquitoes into the trap where they collect in a retaining cage. The NOsquito mosquito trap also offers indoor protection against mosquito bites using UV light and a noiseless fan to draw mosquitoes into the trap where they collect and die.

Step 3 - Repel and kill mosquitoes with a backyard misting system

The AllClear Mosquito Misting systems have become a popular method of mosquito control with a subtle, low maintenance design that appeals to homeowners and also country club and resort owners. Mosquito misting systems offer long-lasting protection against mosquito bites by creating an invisible barrier between you and mosquitoes using a variety of concentrates as mists that repel and kill mosquitoes on contact. It's as easy as that! No bug bags to empty and no mosquito carcasses to dispose of.

AllClear Mosquito Mister misting systems are fully assembled and cordless so you can place them anywhere on your property without worrying about hiding or burying cords or hauling parts and tools, and the wheeled base makes getting them to a desired location a breeze. AllClear Mosquito Misters have built-in programmable timers so you can choose how often the misting system dispenses mosquito repelling concentrates. Depending on which model you choose, AllClear Mosquito Misters cover anywhere from 2,000-4,000 square feet.

Different concentrates used in your Mosquito Mister will provide different levels and lengths of mosquito protection. The AllClear naturals Mosquito Mister concentrate is a 100% natural, DEET-free, biodegradable, plant based concentrate that will last for up to 2 hours of mosquito protection. AllClear botanical Mosquito Mister pyrethrum concentrate contains pyrethrins, derived from dried Chrysanthemum flowers and will last for up to 4 hours of protection. AllClear synergized PLUS Mister concentrate offers the highest level of mosquito protection and last for up to 6 hours. Synergized PLUS concentrate contains Permethrin, an insecticide based on natural Pyrethrins and is longer lasting in direct sunlight.

Step 4 - Use the ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent Appliances and other mosquito spray repellents

Adult mosquitoes prefer to rest on grass, weeds and other vegetation and are very vulnerable to mosquito spray repellents. Mosquito spray repellents offer the advantage of penetrating cracks and crevices that other mosquito control systems can't touch. Mosquito spray insecticides should be sprayed on your lawn, in trees and bushes throughout your property, and also on wooden fences and on the sides of your home.

Mosquito Barrier is a garlic based mosquito repellent that is very toxic to mosquitoes but completely safe to humans, pets, and the environment. Mosquito Barrier kills adult mosquitoes on contact, suffocates any mosquito larvae in standing water when mixed with soy bean or canola oil, and also repels mosquitoes to keep them away from your property. Mosquito Barrier is applied with a typical garden sprayer and the garlic scent is undetectable to humans within minutes after it is applied.

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Appliances are compact, cordless, portable mosquito control systems that have been tested and approved by the U.S. Army to effectively repel mosquitoes during their missions in the Middle East. ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Appliances provide a 15' x 15' "Bug-Free-Zone" and an invisible barrier of protection that repels 98% of mosquitoes.

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Appliances are DEET-Free and EPA approved. They operate on a single butane cartridge that heats a mat and releases allethrin, a synthetic copy of a naturally occurring insect repellent. Each mat provides four hours of mosquito-free protection and each butane cartridge will last for up to 12 hours.

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Appliances are not only great for military use, they are also a favorite among hunters, sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts. ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Appliances do not give off any kind of odor in fact, the butane acts as a cover scent so you won't get winded by that monster buck you've been chasing. ThermaCELL Mosquito Repelling Appliances blend in with hunting, fishing, and military fatigues with olive green and Realtree camo patterns. They come with a fitted cover that holds the mat and extra butane cartridges, a clip to fasten them to your waistline, and an optional light that converts the appliance into a flashlight.

Other mosquito control ideas

For those with a personal vendetta against mosquitoes, Handheld Insect Zappers offer a more personal approach to mosquito elimination. Handheld Insect Zappers are a big hit at backyard barbecues, camping trips, bonfires, and other outdoor activities and can be used indoors as well. This lightweight racket halts mosquitoes in their tracks with a low level electrical current, and it's fun to use!

There are many other preventative measures you can take to protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases during any outdoor occasion. Family outings like camping trips, beach days, fishing trips, hunting trips, and hiking trips are all outdoor events that rarely take place without the presence of mosquitoes and while it may be impossible to eliminate mosquito populations, controlling them is possible. There are many types of lotions, sprays, towelettes and other mosquito repellents that you can fit in your hunting bag, tackle box, or back pack that effectively repel mosquitoes and control mosquito populations.