How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes and Mosquito Larva

Mosquitoes can carry diseases, making their removal a priority.

If you struggle with mosquitoes in your backyard or around your home, you need to make changes in their breeding environment a priority. These pests can carry encephalitis and dengue fever and have an itchy and annoying bite. They need water to complete their life cycle, so you need to focus your prevention attempts on ways to minimize their breeding sites.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine
• Koi
• Fresh soil

Instructions

1. Eliminate sources of standing water that mosquitoes lay their eggs in. Empty a kids’ pool and discard old tires. Empty flower pots or pet water dishes and keep them turned over when not in use.

2. Cover a full-size swimming pool in the yard and chlorinate the water. Shake or brush off rainwater collected on boat and car covers.

3. Stock a small fishpond with koi, which eat the mosquito eggs and larva on the top of the water.

4. Clean out gutters and drain spouts of leaves and rainwater, which provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

5. Add fresh soil to fill in sunken lawn areas that collect water. Dry out and freshen sand boxes that have water in the sand. Keep any gardens or shrubs trimmed and the grass mowed and weed free to remove damp, dark areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Look to your town or city for help to address standing water in drainage ditches and swampy areas by filling or draining these areas.

References

• University of Kentucky College of Agriculture; Mosquitos: Practical Advice for Homeowners; M. F. Potter, et al.; July 2003
• Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona; Mosquitos; Dawn H. Gouge, et al.; March 2001

Resources

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Mosquito Information Website