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Not all mosquitoes transmit diseases, but they can all be a nuisance. There are many different species of mosquitoes with different preferences for climate and breeding territory. Typically, mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Mosquito larvae hatch from the eggs and remain in the water, feeding on tiny organisms. Once they mature, adult mosquitoes leave the water to breed.
Keeping Mosquitoes Out of Your Yard
Pesticides Used In Mosquito Control
Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes
Choosing and Using Insect Repellents
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.
If you choose to use a pesticide, read the label before you buy. Try a lower toxicity product first.
If you have a pesticide product in mind, have your label handy and click here for information about that product.
Mosquitoes undergo four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Disrupting a mosquitoes' life cycle and habitat may reduce the number of mosquitoes around you and your environment. There are steps you can take to reduce mosquito populations before choosing to use a pesticide product. Get others involved to be even more effective!
Most mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, and they don’t need much. A Frisbee or a plastic bottle cap can hold enough water to support mosquito breeding.
If you choose to use an insecticide, be sure to read and follow all label directions. Some products are designed to be applied directly to water to control mosquito larvae, while others are used more broadly to control adult mosquitoes.
There are a variety of products available on the market for the public and for professionals when it comes to mosquito control. Larvicides are chemicals designed to be applied directly to water to control mosquito larvae. Adulticides are used in fogging and spraying to control adult mosquitoes. Synergists are not toxic to the mosquitoes themselves, but they make adulticides more effective.
Some communities provide mosquito control as a service to the public and may apply pesticides from trucks or planes. To find out whether or not your community sprays for mosquitoes, try contacting your local health department or local mosquito control district.
There are several non-pesticide actions you can take. If you decide to use a pesticide for mosquito control, always remember to read and follow the label instructions carefully.
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.
The following list of ingredients is not a recommendation and provides examples only.
The following list of ingredients is not a recommendation and provides examples only.
The following list of ingredients is not a recommendation and provides examples only.
Some mosquitoes are vectors for diseases. This means they can transmit diseases from one human or animal to another. Typically, the diseases are caused by viruses or tiny parasites. For example, a mosquito that bites an infected human or animal can pick up a virus along with the blood meal. The mosquito and virus do not harm one another but the virus reproduces inside the mosquito. Later, the mosquito can pass the viruses to other humans when biting them.
If you're planning a trip and you're wondering how to protect yourself from vector-borne illness, try visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Travelers' Health page.
Automatic misting systems include plumbing around the perimeter of a home or yard, to deliver an insecticide mist at scheduled time intervals. There is no data showing their effectiveness in preventing disease transmission. The EPA does not expect risks of concern for people if label directions are followed.
The American Mosquito Control Association has several concerns with automatic misting systems, including potential pesticide resistance, non-target impacts to fish and pollinators, and increased risk of human pesticide exposures. If you choose to install a system, keep these tips in mind.
Through its county agents, the Cooperative Extension Service gives individuals access to the resources at land-grant universities across the nation. These universities are centers for research in many subjects, including entomology (the study of insects) and agriculture. Each county within the United States has an Extension office, which is staffed with agents who work closely with university-based Extension specialists to deliver answers to your questions about gardening, agriculture, and pest control. You can find the phone number for your local county extension office in the local government section (often marked with blue pages) of your telephone directory or by clicking on the map below.
U.S. States:
AK | AL | AR | AZ | CA | CO | CT | DE | FL | GA | HI | IA | ID | IL | IN | KS | KY | LA | MA | MD | ME | MI | MN | MO | MS | MT | NC | ND | NE | NH | NJ | NM | NV | NY | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VA | VT | WA | WI | WV | WY | Washington D.C. |
U.S. Territories:
Puerto Rico | American Samoa | Guam | Northern Mariana Islands | Virgin Islands