If there's one summer pest that promises the most annoyance, it's mosquitoes. But how can you keep them at bay during warm summer evenings spent outdoors?
One of the most effective ways is also the most simple: Eliminating standing water in your backyard, balcony or window areas.
Here, pest control pros share why this trick works to get rid of mosquitoes.
Why you should eliminate standing water in your yard
If you're struggling to keep mosquitoes away from windows, or keep mosquitoes away from the front door, Juan C. Rezk, chief marketing officer at Certus assures, 'As a pest management professional, I can tell you that eliminating standing water is the single most effective mosquito prevention strategy.'
But why, exactly? 'Because mosquitoes, from egg to adult, spend their first three life stages in water,' he explains. 'No standing water means no nursery for their offspring, so it directly breaks their breeding cycle.
'There are virtually no drawbacks to this approach, other than constant vigilance. Mosquitoes only need a bottle cap of water to breed!'
In particular, advises Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention, this constant vigilance is perhaps the most important part. 'If you see still water sitting for more than a few days, you're basically giving mosquitoes a free nursery,' she warns.
Allowing mosquitoes to breed in standing water in your outdoor areas can also pose risks to your health
Additionally, says James Agardy, associate certified entomologist at Viking Pest Control, eliminating standing water in your yard is also important from a health point of view.
'Stagnant water with decaying organic materials is the preferred breeding site for several mosquito species that are vectors of disease,' he explains. 'A few examples of container breeding species include the Yellow Fever Mosquito (Aedes aegypti), Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus), and the Northern House mosquito (Culex pippiens).
'Containers with stagnant water, like buckets, tires, trash cans, saucers under flowerpots, should all be dumped out regularly and when possible, stored upended so they cannot accumulate water.'
Importantly, adds Daniel Baldwin, board-certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control, while this method is often effective, there's no guarantee that it will eliminate the infestation of mosquitoes completely.
'Combining various prevention methods simultaneously is often the best way to control these pests,' he recommends.
How to eliminate standing water in your yard
Turn over pots, clean gutters, and treat mosquitoes with natural bacteria
Luckily, there are a number of methods that help remove, treat and prevent stagnant water.
For instance, you can add movement to any water features, which are 'likely to be one of the most common places you'll find stagnant water,' according to Daniel.
'Consider installing water wigglers, bubblers [such as the CrystalClear PondAir 2 available at Amazon], and waterfalls in ponds, reflecting pools, and other water features that may help prevent mosquito breeding,' he advises. 'Mosquitoes are less likely to breed in water that’s in motion, and any larvae inside will have difficulty surfacing to breathe.'
Additionally, you can use Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis, also known as BTI, which is a natural bacteria that inhibits mosquito larvae growth without harming plants and wildlife that rely on the water. Mosquito BITS for Insects, available at Amazon, can be handily sprinkled directly into water.
'BTI is available in powder, pellet or liquid form, which can be added to the standing water to kill and control the mosquito larvae,' Daniel continues. 'Always ensure that you carefully read the instructions beforehand to ensure that the product is effective and applied safely.'
More simply, suggests Adam Goess, bug expert and executive director of innovation and insights at Thermacell Repellents, Inc., 'The best way is to look around the yard. Remove any buckets, pet bowls, tires, empty pots, or at least pour out the water and turn them over.
'Make sure to change bird bath water frequently as well. This week's water is next week's mosquitoes.'
You should also take the time to clean your gutters from the roof, adds Jim McHale, entomologist and president at JP McHale Pest Management,' which should be done twice a year, around early spring and late fall.
This will also help you to avoid a crucial water runoff drainage mistake.
Use water wigglers, bubblers, and waterfalls in ponds, recommend our pros
Don't forget to clean outdoor decorative accents regularly, either, adds Daniel, and block off access to cisterns, buckets, rain barrels and other water collection vessels tightly to keep mosquitoes from getting inside.
'Consider adding a fine mesh screen to limit entry for any outdoor items that you're unable to cover to prevent attracting mosquitoes,' he recommends. You can also, as Nicole suggests, use mosquito dunks, which are safe bacteria, such as the Summit Chemical Company Pond Mosquito Dunks available at Amazon, in those places you can't drain.
'I also recommend using slow-drip irrigation systems instead of regular sprinklers to prevent puddles in low spots of your yard,' she concludes.
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Keep your hands clean while cleaning your gutters with this ingenious scoop, which makes the tough and dirty cleaning job quick and easy.
These mosquito larvacide pouches are conveniently dissolvable, and are suitable for use in fish ponds, bird baths, gutters, rain barrels, and any other areas in your yard where standing water may be found.
Pop this water wiggler into your bird bath to attract birds while deterring mosquitoes from breeding, which circulates water to discourage diseases that can often occur in stagnant water.
FAQs
Is there anything I can put in standing water to kill mosquitoes?
Yes, there is something you can put in standing water to kill mosquitoes, and you don't have to rely on chemicals, either. Besides cleaning with salt, simply adding some salt to the water will disrupt the balance within the larvae, causing them to dehydrate and die. You probably already have some in your pantry, too.
Can you put vinegar in standing water for mosquitoes?
Just like salt, vinegar is a great addition to standing water if you want to eliminate mosquitoes, as it alters the pH balance of the water to prevent reproduction and ensures any mosquito eggs and larvae are killed off. You can then try cleaning with vinegar with any you may have leftover.
Meet our experts
Juan has 11 years of experience as a pest control expert, and joined the team at CERTUS, who pride themselves on a friendly and knowledgeable approach, in the summer of 2023.
Nicole started working at Black Pest Prevention when she was in high school, and has since become the company's CEO, which serves both North and South Carolina.
Jim has grown up in the pest control world, after his father founded JP McHale Pest Management in 1971. Jim took over the family business in 1988 after his father's retirement, and continues to provide science-based solutions to pest problems in the Greater New York City area.
Daniel is an entomologist with over a decade of experience, working at Hawx Pest Control which, since being founded in 2013, has grown as a business across 12 states, offering both residential and commercial pest control services.
Adam is the executive director of innovation and insights for Thermacell. Utilizing over 20 years of product innovation experience, Adam has spent the last decade in the mosquito category developing new innovative ways to approach the growing mosquito crisis with a consumer-first philosophy.
You may have eliminated mosquitoes in your yard, but do you know why you should never squash spiders in your home?
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