DIY Mosquito Treatment Options

If you’re fed up with mosquitoes buzzing around and ruining your outdoor summer fun, you’re not alone. Many people ask us if there are any do-it-yourself (DIY) tricks they can use to solve the problem, and the answer is that it depends. While hiring a professional pest control service is undoubtedly the most effective way to take care of mosquitoes, there are some DIY methods homeowners can try out for temporary relief. 

We’re diving into the realities of DIY mosquito control in Suffolk County & Nassau County and provide you with some practical tips for getting the best results out of your time and effort.

Does DIY Mosquito Control Work?

It’s important to be realistic about the potential outcomes of DIY mosquito control: It’s entirely possible that your efforts will have little to no effect. This is because the mosquito life cycle is incredibly rapid. 

So even if you do succeed in eliminating a portion of the active mosquito population on your property, there will always be more mosquitoes on the way. More eggs will hatch, and more larvae will develop. In a couple of weeks, they will reach adulthood, ready to buzz and bite in your backyard. This is why mosquito control often isn’t a one-time fix but an ongoing process.

Which DIY Mosquito Solutions Work in Suffolk County & Nassau County?

There are a number of proven techniques that can alleviate a mosquito problem or make your property less attractive to them. These include:

• Removing Standing Water – Mosquitoes require water to breed, so if you can eliminate standing water on your property you remove breeding areas. Just be aware that they need only a few millimeters of water to breed, so this is easier said than done. Still, the more standing water you can remove the better off you will be.
• Predators – If you have water you can’t remove like a pond or fountain, consider stocking it with koi fish. Koi fish are natural predators of mosquito larvae. Even a few koi can make a massive dent in the population.
• Mosquito Traps — Mosquito scent traps can be very effective if deployed correctly. For best results, use them in a small area you want to clear of mosquitoes. However, mosquito traps are not the best choice if your goal is to solve a bad infestation in a large yard.
• Mosquito Netting – Many people have issues with mosquitoes getting inside their homes during the height of mosquito season. If this is the case for you, easily solve the problem by installing mosquito netting.
• Repellent Sprays – Sprays can keep you comfortable when you do spend time outside. Natural repellents may seem appealing, but they have been shown to provide an inferior level of protection compared to repellents containing DEET or picaridin.

Should You Spray Insecticides Yourself?

Yes, you could spray insecticides with caution since they can be powerful, even the ones you can buy at the store. So great care should be taken to follow the instructions to the letter and never use more than recommended. 

The nature of mosquitoes in the summer means that most mosquito control methods are just that — managing the problem, since eliminating it can be extremely difficult. Most of the time, the strongest tool we have against mosquitoes and the closest we can come to eliminating them is the strategic use of insecticides.

Improper use of insecticides can cause injury to yourself, your family, pets, or your yard. Additionally, insecticides are not a set-it-and-forget-it solution. You still need a thorough understanding of mosquito behavior and habitats to use insecticides successfully.

DIY vs. Professional Mosquito Treatment in Suffolk County & Nassau County

If you’re considering taking this step, we recommend just calling a professional extermination company instead. The professional mosquito exterminators at Suburban Exterminating know exactly where to look and what to do to get the best results.

To learn more about mosquitoes in Suffolk County & Nassau County and how we can treat your home or business, reach out to us today!