The best time to cut down mosquitoes is before the first big hatch, not in the middle of July. A few spring chores and a plan for barrier treatments make a real difference.
Start before Memorial Day
Delaware mosquitoes start biting in May. By the time summer heat arrives, populations can build quickly.
Getting ahead of the season is easier than catching up. Start your yard walk-through in April or early May.
Warm, wet weather speeds things up. After a rainy week, a yard that was fine on Monday can have a new crop of mosquitoes by the next weekend.
Early May is a good target for your first walk-through and, if you plan to hire help, for your first call. Doing both early means you are ahead of the first big hatch rather than reacting to it.
Find the standing water
Walk the yard after a rain and look for anything holding water. Empty buckets, plant saucers, kids’ toys, tarps, tires and wheelbarrows. Clean clogged gutters and downspouts.
The Asian tiger mosquito breeds in containers as small as a bottle cap, so small things count. It also bites during the day, which is why people get bitten even in a tidy yard.
Make it a weekly habit. A five-minute walk-around each week catches most trouble spots before eggs can develop.
Check the corners of the yard that you rarely visit. Those spots tend to collect forgotten containers.
Birdbaths, pools and ponds
Change birdbath water every few days, since mosquito eggs can develop in a week or so. Keep pools circulating, and keep water from pooling on pool covers and tarps.
Ornamental ponds stay healthier with moving water or fish. Ask your garden center about options that fit your pond.
If you have a rain barrel, keep it covered with tight mesh so mosquitoes cannot lay eggs in it.
Bird feeders and pet water bowls count too. Refresh them often.
Trim the resting spots
Adult mosquitoes rest in shady shrubs, tall grass and under decks during the day. Mowing and thinning dense plantings near patios makes the yard less inviting.
Pay attention to damp, shady corners near the house. These spots hold humidity and give mosquitoes a cool place to wait for evening.
Under decks and around air conditioner units, check for puddles and damp ground. These are easy places to miss.
Think about airflow. A yard that is open to the breeze is harder for mosquitoes to live in than one that is dense and still.
Neighbors and nearby water
Your yard is only part of the picture. Mosquitoes travel, and marsh, ponds, ditches and wooded areas nearby can feed the population.
If a neighbor’s yard holds standing water, a friendly mention often helps. Properties near marsh or woods may need regular treatment to keep the yard usable.
Window and door screens matter indoors. Repair holes so the mosquitoes that get close to the house stay outside.
Protect yourself too
Use an EPA-registered repellent and follow the label. Long sleeves and light clothing help at dawn and dusk, when many mosquitoes are most active.
A fan on the patio can make a real difference, since mosquitoes are weak fliers.
Keep in mind that no yard can be made fully mosquito-free. The goal is to reduce numbers enough that you can enjoy the evening.
Keep screens in good repair and use a fan on porches or decks for extra protection.
Book barrier treatments
A barrier treatment targets the plants and shady areas where adult mosquitoes rest. Applications on a regular cycle through the season keep the population down better than a single visit.
Booking early gets you on the schedule before the busiest weeks. Ask your provider how they handle rain and what happens if mosquitoes return between visits.
Ask about the products and the schedule. A good provider will explain what is applied and where, and will tell you what to expect after each visit.
Who to call
Mosquito & Pest Authority treats the plants and shade where mosquitoes rest on a 21-day cycle through the season, and re-treats for free if mosquitoes come back between visits. They use EPA-registered products applied according to the label and offer an all-natural option as well. Call 302-257-6650 to set up your yard.
Mosquito & Pest Authority is locally owned, so if you also have trouble with ants or spiders around the house, one call can point you in the right direction.
Common questions
When should I schedule mosquito treatments in Delaware?
Many homeowners start in spring, before Memorial Day, so the population is knocked back before it builds. Call early, since the best spots on the schedule fill up.
Why am I getting bitten during the day?
The Asian tiger mosquito is active during the day and breeds in small containers. Emptying standing water around the yard often helps.
Will emptying water alone solve the problem?
It helps a lot, but mosquitoes can come from neighboring properties, marsh or woods. Many homeowners combine yard cleanup with barrier treatments.