That’s why we’re addressing the effectiveness of some of the mosquito control methods that you might be considering. You deserve to have an honest understanding of what’s going to keep you most safe and what isn’t worth spending your time and money on.

Here are some popular options people use to keep mosquitoes away from their yard, with tips on which mosquito control methods actually work and which ones don't.

Do Mosquito Control Plants Work?

There are a number of so-called "mosquito control plants" including lavender, lemongrass, and catnip, which are said to repel mosquitoes (since they don’t like the smell). Although these plants may deter a few pests here or there, the fact is, a mosquito’s life mission to obtain blood is strong enough to overcome an annoying odor. 

In terms of truly protecting your family, this particular approach is just not going to be effective enough. Although mosquitoes don’t like these plants, you would need to extract their oils and spray them in areas they frequent to deter them. 

Ineffective Mosquito Control Home Remedies

Besides mosquito control plants, many homeowners are known to turn to other “home remedies” to keep mosquitoes away from their yard. These include products like citronella candles, mosquito coils, mosquito lamps, or various mosquito repellent sprays. 

Unfortunately, these mosquito control methods are also mostly ineffective.

While they may deter a few mosquitoes, overall, the mosquito’s determination to obtain blood is going to be enough for them to overcome repellent products and continue their quest for their next meal.

Do Mosquito Control Traps Work?

A mosquito control machine that uses propane and batteries is going to be more effective than any of the methods we’ve mentioned so far. These mosquito control devices essentially attract mosquitoes to them and then suck them in. 

The downside is that they can take a while to start making a difference on your property. It’s said that this solution can take up to four weeks before you can expect to see any results. Chances are if you’re dealing with a mosquito problem, you want something to get rid of mosquitoes immediately.

Cleaning Gutters and Getting Rid of Standing Water

There is no question that gutters are a breeding ground for mosquitoes so when it comes to effective mosquito control in the backyard, cleaning out your gutters and preventing standing water is definitely an effective approach. Along with that, we’d also recommend that you get rid of any other standing water on your property since water is necessary for mosquito larvae to transform into adults. 

Areas where water might become stagnant include (but are not limited to) some of the following places.

• Low areas in landscape beds
• Bird baths
• Wheelbarrows
• Pool covers
• Tire swings
• Buckets or containers left in the yard
• Improper lawn grading where water pools
• Tarps
• Children’s toys or kiddie pools

When it comes to how to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard, this should absolutely be part of your approach. But it should not be the only step that you take toward effective mosquito control.

Professional Mosquito Control is The Best Option

The most effective way to keep mosquitoes away from your yard is a professional mosquito yard spray that is applied to mosquito habitats including shrubs, ornamental grasses, the underside of decks, and around patio areas (to name just some). Since mosquitoes land often to rest, a professional-grade product will take care of them when this occurs.

Of course, it’s important to recognize that not all mosquito control companies in Northern VA are created equally.

You want a company that not only uses effective products and employs well-trained technicians who know exactly how and where to apply them, but you also want a company that takes a comprehensive approach. 

Choosing Professional Mosquito Control in Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA

At Kingstowne Pest, we go the extra mile and seek out standing water on the property so that we are getting to the root cause of the problem and addressing breeding grounds. 

Because we have a full array of landscape maintenance, installation, and drainage solutions, we have more solutions for these issues than a typical mosquito service would be capable of handling.

We also offer gutter cleaning, which most mosquito services do not. If your gutters are clogged with debris it won’t matter how many times you spray, these pests will just keep coming. We’ve been told that most companies are focused on just frequently spraying and are not concerned with getting to the bottom of the reason mosquitoes keep returning.

If you’ve decided that mosquitoes are just too risky for you to take any chances on, then this is your best course of action. By investing in professional mosquito control, you can gain the peace of mind that your property is being protected. Instead of having to worry about mosquitoes lurking around, waiting for their next meal, you and your family can go back to enjoying time outdoors.

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