The weather is warming up and there is nothing I love more than stringing the lights up in my backyard and enjoying a nice evening dinner on the patio with family and friends. Unfortunately, the warm weather brings with it a slew of annoying and even dangerous insects like mosquitos.
Mosquitos don’t just cause itchy red bumps on our arms and legs. They can also transmit a number of diseases like West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue, Zika Virus, Malaria and more. I myself contracted West Nile Virus from a mosquito bite at a backyard BBQ when I was 12, so trust me, I don’t mess around with these bloodthirsty insects.
Still, mosquitos don’t stop me from wanting to enjoy my yard and garden, and they shouldn’t stop you either.
Let’s take a look at some of the best mosquito control for yard options and talk about how you can take your yard back once and for all this summer.
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What Is Attracting Mosquitoes To Your Yard?
You can get your backyard back by better understanding what is attracting mosquitos to it in the first place.
You may have noticed that some people seem to be natural mosquito magnets while others hardly complain about having to deal with these itchy, bloodthirsty pests. Do you spend most of your outdoor time swatting the air around you while your best friend hangs out lazily in a hammock without a care in the world?
It’s not all in your head. Mosquitos do find certain people more attractive than others, but if you’re a mosquito’s center of affection, you know that’s nothing to feel happy about. But what is it about you that’s attracting mosquitos to you and your yard in particular?
Well, the good news is that you don’t need to go digging up your plants and throwing them out in order to maintain mosquito control for yard and gardens. Garden plants are rarely the problem when it comes to attracting mosquitos to your yard. However, other environmental factors can be an issue, and so can you.
Mosquitos are most attracted to certain scents we humans release like carbon dioxide, sweat, and certain acids our bodies produce like uric acid. These factors can attract mosquitoes from as far as thirty feet away, and then they pick their victims once they get closer. Mosquitoes also have a color preference, and are most attracted to dark colors and people wearing darker clothing.
And since mosquitos are lured in by carbon dioxide first, the more people you invite to your outdoor BBQ, the more likely you are to become a feeding ground. They first pick up on the carbon dioxide we inhale and then decide which blood source smells the sweetest to them before landing on you and making you their meal.
But it’s not just a bloodsource mosquitos like. Mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid environments and tend to live around water. This means if your backyard sanctuary includes a pond, you could be experiencing more mosquitos than your neighbors. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water and tend to hang around these moist, mucky conditions longer.
Does this mean you need to get rid of your watery paradise? Not necessarily. There are plenty of mosquito control for yard and garden tips, remedies and even plants you can use to take back your backyard, and that’s what we’re here to talk about today.
What Do Professionals Say About Picking The Best Mosquito Control For Yard Products?
Professionals recommend insecticides with the active ingredient Bifenthrin to help control mosquitos.
Most people don’t need to call in professionals when it comes to mosquito control for yard and garden issues, but that doesn’t mean professionals don’t have opinions on the most effective ways to handle these pests.
Exterminators like to use insecticides and sprays, but many professional gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts worry that insecticides are laden with chemicals and will harm not only our lush gardens and the good insects, but also our families and pets.
The good news is that there are plenty of natural insecticides and mosquito control for yard options that use all natural, plant-based ingredients.
Whichever route you choose to control your mosquito issues, professionals encourage you to look for products that have long lasting effects, are highly fragrant (when going with plants), and don’t kill off good bugs like butterflies and bees.
Professional gardeners are also quick to point out that you can use natural remedies to help protect yourself from mosquitoes that not only keep you bugbite free, but also keep your garden flourishing and smelling great.
That’s right, we’re talking about mosquito repellent plants!
Have You Tried Mosquito Repelling Plants?
Mint naturally repels mosquitos and other pests, so try adding some to your garden!
Some of my absolute favorite mosquito control for yard and garden remedies are mosquito repellent plants. I love that these plants are not only completely natural, but they are also gorgeous and fragrant.
My garden is rich in mosquito repellent plants, but planting them must be strategic in order for them to work effectively. I have these plants lining my backyard walkways and have layered them in large pots around my patio table to help keep my guests and family comfortable while dining outside.
Which plants work best when looking for mosquito control for yard and gardens? Plants that are very fragrant and smell of citronella or lemon. Lemon-scented mint plants, lavender, and even lemon scented geraniums make for great mosquito repellents. These strong smelling plants are deliciously intoxicating to humans but are absolutely repulsive to mosquitos, so it’s a total win-win.
You can also grow mosquito repelling veggies like garlic and strong-smelling herbs like peppermint and rosemary.
Here is a list of some of my favorite mosquito repellent plants for you to try in your garden.
- Catnip
- Lavender
- Basil
- Lemon Balm
- Lemongrass
- Marigolds
- Rosemary
- Garlic
- Peppermint
- Pennyroyal
- Floss Flower
- Lemon Mint
- Sage
- Bee Balm
- Lemon Scented Geraniums
- Horsemint
- Lemon Thyme
Want to learn more about mosquito repelling plants? The Hallmark Channel does a fabulous job explaining more about mosquito repellent plants in the video below.
Mosquito Exterminator’s Top Picks For Mosquito Control For Yard
Do you want to go with an insecticide? Pros recommend Bifen IT.
If you have a pretty serious mosquito problem and need a more aggressive approach to mosquito control for yard and garden, then you may need to look into some insecticides. Some of the most popular insecticides, according to professionals, are insecticides that use the active ingredient Bifen IT.
BIfen is low in toxicity but still highly effective, and works to not only control mosquitoes in your garden but also many other pests like spiders, ticks, fleas and more.
Here are some of the top mosquito control for yard repellents, according to exterminators.
Bifen XTS Bifenthrin
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One of the most most popular insecticides when it comes to mosquito control for yard repellents is Bifen Bifenthrin. This is a common insecticide used by exterminators as it has a low toxicity level but is still highly effective against mosquitoes.
Bifen Bifenthrin also works well against spiders, roaches, fleas and other outdoor pests.
Permethrin SFR
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Another popular insecticide professionals use to help fend off mosquitos is Permethrin SFR. This is a heavy-duty insecticide meant for outdoor use and is safe to use on all aspects of your garden. You can spray it on your lawn, around your home, in garden sheds, over your garden landscape and even on garden ornaments.
Like most of the insecticides on this list, it is not only effective against mosquitos but also against other insects like termites, spiders, ticks, millipedes, earwigs, crickets, flies, pillbugs, wasps, scorpions and more.
Best of all, it’s safe to use in animal-friendly environments, which is why many farmers like this product. You can use it in chicken coops and around farm animals and even pets. That said, this is still an insecticide so read the instructions carefully before using it and keep it out of reach of children.
Cutter Backyard Bug Control
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Pros like Cutter Backyard Bug Control because it’s a simple yet effective tool for mosquito control for yard and garden areas.
We specifically like this one because of it’s easy-apply spray nozzle and the fact that it not only kills mosquitoes, but repels them and discourages them from coming around in general. Once applied, it lasts up to four weeks and can even last through rain.
This product can spray up to 5,000 feet and also helps control ants and fleas.
Best Natural Repellents For Mosquito Control
Placing a citronella candle in your garden is an excellent and natural way to help control mosquitos.
My yard is always packed with kids and pets, so it’s important to me that I use natural ingredients when dealing with mosquitos.
Of course, I also understand that mosquitos can be dangerous and carry a number of serious diseases, so I don’t take mosquito control for yard and garden areas lightly. That’s why I use highly effective mosquito repellents that not only work, but are safe for my family, friends and furkids.
I’ve listed a few of my most favorite natural mosquito control for yard and garden products below.
Mosquito Barrier Liquid Spray Repellent
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Mosquito Barrier is another popular choice for professionals and especially for those with pets and kids in the home.
This is a safe, effective mosquito control insecticide that works using all natural ingredients such as garlic. There are absolutely no chemicals or poisons in this product, and it can be used safely in your backyard, in your garden and on your lawn. Once applied, the barrier lasts up to four weeks.
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Sticks
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Another all-natural mosquito control for yard products is Murphy’s Naturals incense sticks. They are made with all natural ingredients and give you over two hours of protection. These sticks are good repellents for outdoor BBQs or gatherings and will help reduce pests so you can enjoy your yard and friends.
However, as we mentioned, this is not a long-lasting repellent. That said, it does have a 12 foot radius of protection and is made with all natural plant ingredients like peppermint, lemongrass, citronella, cedarwood and bamboo. Best of all, the smell is delicious to humans and disgusting to bugs!
Citronella Mosquito Repellent Coils
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Most of us already know that citronella is an excellent natural mosquito repellent, and that’s one reason these citronella mosquito repellent coils work so well. For outdoor use in gardens and backyards, these innovative citronella coils are meant to burn slowly and help repel mosquitoes effectively for up to seven hours.
The coils have a ten foot radius of protection and are safe and effective to use outdoors for mosquito control for yard. Take these with you camping, when your outside BBQing, hanging out on your patio, or even just gardening.
DynaTrap Mosquito and Insect Trap For Gardens
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If you are looking for a natural and decorative mosquito control for yard and garden option to protect your sanctuary, you may be interested in an all natural insect trap like the one above made by DynaTrap.
I specifically like this mosquito trap because it doesn’t use any chemicals or pesticides and it is quiet. It’s like a totally discreet, beautiful luer for those pesky bloodsuckers. It is a little pricey, but it’s quite effective when it comes to mosquito control for yard and gardens. It offers protection in your yard for up to half an acre and can be hung from a tree or patio, or sit on a table, railing, or perch.
It’s easy to clean and never zaps bugs, which is always nice. No one wants to be sitting around enjoying an outdoor meal and hear bugs being zapped to death behind them. That’s really not appetizing.
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle
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Last on our list of natural mosquito control for yard and gardens is the ever-famous mosquito repellent candle. This is perhaps my favorite mosquito control method because I love candles and I love the way these all natural candles smell.
Made with peppermint, citronella, cedarwood and other natural ingredients that mosquitos despise, this candle is totally effective and fragrant. It actually adds a nice ambiance to your backyard as well, which is always a plus.
Buyer Favorites Based On Reviews For Mosquito Control For yard
Ready for your backyard to become your sanctuary? Check out what buyers of mosquito repellents had to say.
If you’re like me, then you like to do a lot of research before you make a purchase. I like to read reviews and hear what people have to say about certain products before I make up my mind.
When it comes to mosquito control for yard products, it’s especially important for me to know that what I’m going to buy is going to work. The last thing I want is to order a product, set it up in my yard, and invite my company over to be a sacrificial smorgasbord for the outdoor mosquito colony. How embarrassing.
That’s why reviews matter to me when it comes to mosquito control for yard and garden areas. Below are a couple of mosquito control products I found that I felt had great and honest reviews. Surprise! Both these products are also all natural.
Wondercide Natural Mosquito Control For Yard
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It seems one of the biggest fan favorites when it comes to mosquito control for yard is a natural product called Wondercide. This is not only a mosquito repellent but it also works to protect your yard and garden against fleas, scorpions, crickets, gnats, ticks and more.
The product is safe to use in areas where children and pets play, and is made with natural ingredients like cedar oil and other plant-based ingredients. It treats up to 5,000 square feet and is safe enough to use all over your yard and garden and even on veggies, in sheds and in dog runs! No wonder buyers like it so much!
EcoGuard Plus All Natural Tick and Mosquito Control
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Last on our buyer’s choice is another all natural mosquito control for yard product called EcoGuard Plus. It’s a favorite amongst families and pet owners due to its list of completely safe and natural ingredients, including cedarwood oil.
However, perhaps my personal favorite thing about this product is that it is highly effective against harmful pests like mosquitos, ticks, stink bugs and fleas, but it doesn’t harm the insects we love and that help our gardens like butterflies and bees.
This product is also safe to use around kids and pets.
Other Tips On Mosquito Control For Yard And Garden Areas
Mosquitos can be annoying and even a health hazard, but controlling them doesn’t have to be difficult.
Mosquitos are attracted to more than just the scent of carbon dioxide or a blood food source. They are also attracted to certain environments, and this information comes in handy when looking at mosquito control for yard and garden areas.
You can help reduce the mosquitoes in your yard by keeping your lawn mowed short, as longer grass attracts mosquitoes for breeding.
Experts also recommend reducing standing water and keeping water fresh. If you have ponds, try to keep the water moving with a filter and add natural pest control like frogs or fish. Rinse and refill bird baths every day and keep gutters clean and water-free.
Potted plants and empty potters that fill with water can also be attractive to mosquitos, so keep those empty and dry as often as possible.
And remember, mosquitos are more attracted to darker colors, so brighten up your yard by growing bright plants, utilizing brightly colored lawn ornaments, including decorative pillows on your lawn chairs and stringing up bright lights.
Last, and perhaps man’s oldest defense against mosquitos, is fire. Mosquitoes hate smoke, so you can help keep them under control by lighting candles, incorporating tiki torches around your garden, and enjoying a nice firepit in your backyard.
Do you have other ideas on keeping mosquitos at bay? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.