People are often surprised to learn that mosquito control companies aren’t all using the same products or even techniques. These differences can make an impact on the success of the service.

Two common ways that mosquito product is applied are via mosquito fogging and mosquito misting techniques. They might sound like the same thing, but there are some key differences that can have a significant impact on results.

In this article, we’ll compare these two methodologies and answer your big question: how does mosquito control work?

We hope that by better understanding how to control mosquitoes, you’ll be able to effectively protect your family from these dangerous pests.

How Does Mosquito Control Work?

Mosquito control involves treating your property with a product that kills or repels mosquitoes. What can differ from company to company is the exact products used as well as how those products are applied.

While we can’t tell you exactly what other companies are doing, we can fill you in on what we do here.

At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we use a concentrated garlic solution to keep mosquitoes away. We like to joke that it works on blood-sucking vampires so of course it would work on blood-sucking mosquitoes, too.

As far as how the product is applied, there are two primary methods that companies use: mosquito fogging and mosquito misting.

• With mosquito fogging, a technician is coming out and fogging the entire property. This is a pretty quick way to go out and treat mosquitoes because you’re basically spraying fog everywhere.
• With mosquito misting, a technician uses a mist applicator to directly apply the product to targeted locations.

Mosquito misting might also be called using mosquito barrier spray.

Some companies install automatic misting systems, but for this article, that’s not what we’re talking about when discussing mosquito misting. We are talking about professionally applied products.

We have found that when a product is just automatically released into the air with an unmanned misting system (much like fogging, which we’ll get into), it can easily be lost to the wind or fail to do anything at all if a mosquito doesn’t happen to be flying through.

Does Mosquito Fogging Work?

As we’ve alluded to above, the trouble with mosquito fogging is that the mosquitoes typically have to fly through the fog to be killed or repelled. And during fogging, a lot of product is going to be lost to wind drift.

While mosquito fogging can work, it might not be the most effective solution for a residential property.

Fogging is a technique that is often used when someone is looking for a quick, short-duration solution. For instance, it might be done ahead of a party or an event being held outdoors.

It’s also a technique used when a service is hired to cover a large area and they’re just trying to get as much product out to as many areas as possible.

For instance, the CDC reports that fogging via “truck spraying” is done when local districts or government departments have determined that a mosquito population is heavy in certain communities.

These decisions are usually made as a result of tracking mosquito-borne illnesses and attempting to reduce the local community’s risk of getting sick from them.

Fogging via truck spraying involves driving around and spraying areas where mosquito populations are known to be heavy to reduce those populations.

Does Mosquito Misting Work?

Mosquito misting with the goal of targeted applications can be much more effective on an individual residential property.

With this technique, technicians use a mist sprayer to apply product to low-lying trees, bushes, and patio areas that are mosquito hot spots. The product will also be sprayed around the perimeter of the property to create a barrier.

For that reason, this method might also be called “mosquito barrier spray.”

When the product is applied directly to mosquito habitats, like plant material, it’s going to dry and stay put after application. This is a key difference over mosquito fogging.

At Kingstowne, the products that we use are also designed to last through the elements, including rain and wind. They dry quickly and once they’re dry, they’re set in place.

Of course, we do closely monitor rain to avoid pop-up showers. The goal is to give the product 20 minutes to dry. In the heat of summer, the product may dry even faster.

These products are designed to last 25 to 30 days. At Kingstowne, we reapply throughout the prime mosquito season so your property is protected when mosquitoes are busiest.

How to Choose Pest Control in Northern VA

If you’re worried about mosquitoes, chances are you are also concerned about fleas and ticks. All three of these pests can be more than just a nuisance. They can be a danger to your family.

That’s why we bundle these services together.

You’ll get full protection in one complete program that makes it easier for you and your family to spend time outdoors without worrying. It’s a single program that covers all your concerns.

There are many companies that will offer every service individually to try and make as much money off of you as possible. But we’re looking to be an easy and effective solution that has you fully covered.

As we’ve talked about in this article, we also use an approach that aims to zone in on pest habitats with highly targeted applications. With mosquito misting and barrier applications, we’re applying the product directly to the areas where mosquitoes hang out.

This takes a lot more time and expertise but it’s also the most effective treatment option. We’re not just coming to a property and quickly fogging everything…then zipping along to the next house.

Instead, we precisely target the potential habitats on your property.

We also leave helpful recommendations on ways you can reduce mosquito hot spots, such as dumping standing water and cleaning clogged gutters. We even offer a gutter cleaning service to fully remove the guesswork and hassle from homeowners’ plates.

In the end, we make your property safer and more stress-free for you and your family. We want your family to be able to spend more time outside without worries.

If you’re ready to stop worrying about the nuisance and dangers of mosquitoes, request a quote, get your customized plan, and sit back and relax as you get the royal treatment.