Mosquito control companies

About mosquito control

Mosquitoes can make a yard hard to enjoy for months at a time. This guide explains where they come from, what you can do yourself, what professional treatment involves and what to ask before you hire a company.

Signs of a mosquito problem in your yard

The first sign is usually bites. Some species bite most around dusk and dawn, and others bite during the day.

Look for where they breed. Mosquitoes lay eggs in or near standing water, and the larvae live in the water until they become adults. In a bucket, birdbath or clogged gutter, the larvae look like tiny wriggling specks that swim down when disturbed. Common sources include:

• Flowerpot saucers, buckets and toys left outside.
• Old tires, tarps and trash can lids.
• Clogged gutters and downspouts.
• Birdbaths and pet water bowls.
• Low spots in the yard that stay wet after rain.

The season varies by region. In the North, mosquito activity stops after hard freezes. In the warmest parts of the South, mosquitoes stay active for much more of the year.

How to cut down mosquitoes around your home

Removing standing water does more than anything else you can do yourself.

• Empty, scrub, turn over or throw out anything that holds water, at least once a week.
• Clean gutters so they drain.
• Drill drainage holes in containers that must stay outside.
• Cover rain barrels with fine screening.
• Repair torn window and door screens.

If you use insect repellent, choose one registered with the EPA and follow the label.

What professional mosquito control involves

A good service starts with an inspection of your property. The technician looks for breeding sites, including easy-to-miss ones such as corrugated drain pipes and tree holes.

Treatment usually combines several approaches. The technician removes or points out standing water. Water that can't be drained may be treated with products that kill larvae before they become adults. Many companies also treat shrubs and shaded areas where adult mosquitoes rest during the day.

Adult treatments wear off, so most companies sell a plan with repeat visits through the season. Every product must be applied according to its label.

Cost depends on the size of your yard, how much dense vegetation it has, how many visits the plan includes and how long mosquito season lasts where you live.

Some counties and cities run their own mosquito control programs. Your local health department can tell you if one covers your area.

Questions to ask a mosquito control company

1. Are you licensed in this state? You can check a license with your state's pesticide regulatory agency, often part of the department of agriculture.
2. Will you inspect for breeding sites, or only spray?
3. What products do you use, and how do you protect bees and other pollinators?
4. How many visits are included, and how far apart are they?
5. What happens if mosquitoes are still bad between visits?
6. Do I need to keep children and pets out of the yard after treatment, and for how long?

If you feel sick with a fever after mosquito bites, contact a doctor.

Compare the mosquito control companies listed above and read their reviews before you choose one.