How can I control mosquitoes in my yard?
Mosquitoes can be controlled through a variety of methods:
It is important to note that in the U.S. there are 176 species of mosquitoes. Not all of these species are a nuisance to humans. However, across the dozens of nuisance species there is a wide variety of behaviors & habitats. Keep this in mind as you investigate ways to control mosquitoes in your yard.
Control methods can vary widely from region to region, state to state, or even neighborhood to neighborhood. The best recommendations for your state and region will come from your local Mosquito Control Association and cooperative extension services of your local university. A simple internet search can link you to these sites.
To get you started, here are links for some of the largest associations: American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA), California, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New England, Pacific North West, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, (and many more).
The importance of Public Health mosquito control
Your location will greatly impact your ability to control mosquitoes in another way, apart from impacting which species you encounter. Your location determines the impact of government efforts to control the mosquito population.
These efforts are often referred to as Public Health Mosquito Control or “County mosquito fogging”. These efforts are important because they can drastically reduce the mosquito population in an area. Your task as a homeowner seeking to control mosquitoes is much easier if your local county, district, or state has already reduced the mosquito population by 80%. These efforts are also important because mosquitoes do not respect property lines so as individual homeowners our efforts on our own property will naturally face some limitations.