Controlling Mosquitoes at Home
Control mosquitoes outside your home
Remove standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
- Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
- For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
- Use larvicides to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
- If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Kill mosquitoes outside your home
- Use an outdoor insect spray made to kill mosquitoes in areas where they rest.
- Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture, or under the carport or garage. When using insecticides, always follow label instructions.
Control mosquitoes inside your home
Keep mosquitoes out
- Install or repair and use window and door screens. Do not leave doors propped open.
- Use air conditioning when possible.
Remove standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like vases and flowerpot saucers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
Kill mosquitoes inside your home
- Kill mosquitoes inside your home. Use an indoor insect fogger* or indoor insect spray* to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest. These products work immediately, and may need to be reapplied. When using insecticides, always follow label directions. Only using insecticide will not keep your home free of mosquitoes.
- Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid places like under the sink, in closets, under furniture, or in the laundry room.
Product | Active ingredient | How long it works |
---|---|---|
Indoor insect spray | Imidacloprid, β-Cyfluthrin | 7-10 days |
Indoor insect spray | Tetramethrin, Cypermethrin | Up to 6 weeks |
Additional Resources
Mosquito life cycle
Mosquito Control Materials
Mosquito Control: What you need to know about using larvicides
Mosquito Control: What you need to know about truck-mounted spraying
Mosquito Control: What you need to know about aerial spraying
Mosquito Control: What you need to know about indoor spraying
Mosquito Control: What you need to know about outdoor spraying
Mosquito Control: What you need to know about filling tree holes
Mosquito Control: What you need to know about using adulticides
Mosquito Control: What state and local mosquito control programs do
Help control mosquitoes that spread dengue, chikungunya, and Zika
Keep mosquitoes out of your septic tank
Larvicide Dunk Use Wallet Cards
- Page last reviewed: April 21, 2017
- Page last updated: April 21, 2017
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