How Much Does Mosquito Control Cost?

In this guide

Mosquito Treatment Cost by Size of Yard

If you are being inundated with mosquitoes, you may find it difficult to enjoy your time outside. Mosquito yard treatment costs differ according to the size of your property. The amount of landscaping or vegetation influences the price: the less you have, the better the price will be. Here, we assume that the landscaping is minimal. The cost for a one-time spray in your yard ranges between $100 and $400.

Mosquito Control Prices by Method

Since every property is different, the type of treatment you receive may vary from what a friend or neighbor has done in their yard. Most control services offer several treatment options. Your yard may require a combination of any of these, depending on your needs. Always evaluate the safety of the method being used regarding children and pets. The cost for mosquito treatment depends on the specific method used.

Larvicide

Mosquito briquets control larvae in the yard and cost $75 to $125 to install. Although spraying for adult mosquitoes controls the bugs already in the air, the larvae are still waiting to hatch. By the time this happens, the sprayed insecticide may no longer be around. Thus, you have a whole new set of mosquitoes. Many professionals offer briquets. You place these on top of the water’s surface to kill the larvae. Also, sprays can be distributed on the top of the water to eliminate the eggs. The spray is typically done with the adulticide, but other larvicide services cost extra. The costs vary on the number of briquets used.

Fumigation

For a single fumigation treatment appointment, homeowners will pay between $80 and $150. Mosquito fumigation is an indoor treatment used if pests infest the inside of the home. Indoor mosquito invasions that require fumigations could happen in damp areas such as laundry rooms and basements. Indoor fumigation involves closing off a room or multiple rooms while highly concentrated flying-insect pesticides are used. Foggers and aerosols may be used during indoor mosquito fumigation visits.

Synthetic & Microencapsulated Mosquito Control

The cost for synthetic and microencapsulated mosquito control is $90 to $140 per treatment. While traditional insecticides break down quickly in rain, heat, or other weather conditions, a microencapsulated product takes much longer. Because of this slow breakdown, it is a preferred method for environmental reasons. Professionals apply these products with sprayers. They cannot be used in a misting system.

Mosquito Barrier Spray

Mosquito barrier spray treatment costs $125 to $175 per treatment but may cost less if you have an annual service contract. Chemical sprays, similar to those used in other mosquito treatments, will be used with this process. However, instead of being applied to the whole yard, it will be applied to the border surrounding it to prevent mosquitoes from entering. This can be a better option for those who want to limit the amount of residue on the yard.

Mosquito Spray Cost

Mosquito pesticide spraying costs about $125 to $200 per treatment. While the main ingredient of these kinds of sprays is pyrethrin, a botanical insecticide extracted from African and Australian chrysanthemums, chemicals are added to make the spray more effective. The good and bad news is that they do not leave a residue. While the lack of residual is good for the environment, this is not good for keeping mosquitoes away. Many professionals use these sprays in conjunction with a permanently installed mosquito misting system to increase effectiveness. Installing a misting system for long-term mosquito control costs considerably more at $2,500.

Mosquito Dust

You’ll spend $150 to $250 per treatment for mosquito dusting or fogging. Mosquito dust is a professional type of control that involves the use of a duster or fogger. The duster is loaded with a powder or granule solution to provide yard protection against mosquitoes. The benefit of this type of treatment service is that the dusters will cover large areas in short periods, making them ideal for properties over an acre. Mosquito dust is also a preferred method for those looking to control mosquito populations for crops.

Average Cost of Mosquito Control by Frequency of Treatment

The company will present treatment frequency options when you book your service appointment. Most homeowners will be asked by the pest control specialist if they’d like to book a recurring appointment, which can start anytime from April to September, or if they prefer one-time services. The benefit of repeated treatment visits is that it will permanently keep the pests out of the yard. Options will include one-time, seasonal, quarterly, annually, and monthly.

With seasonal service, the company sprays your yard every three weeks, roughly every 21 days. This three-week cycle corresponds to the typical life cycle of the mosquito, although it can range from just a few days to as long as a month. At approximately three weeks, new mosquitoes hatch and are immediately sprayed. The earlier you start this process in the season, the more time you will spend with fewer pests on your property. However, you may want to begin seasonal spraying later in the summer. People living in damp, hot climates may prefer to spray year-round.

Most control services offer a one-time spray to decrease mosquitoes temporarily before a special event. For example, if you are hosting a party, you could spray a few days beforehand to ensure fewer mosquitoes bother your guests. In addition to spraying the barrier and treating standing water, the company also treats the area where your guests will gather, including the grass. This service starts at around $75 to $100. Keep in mind that while a one-time spray makes your yard more comfortable, the mosquitoes will return to their normal numbers within a few weeks.

Mosquito Control Cost by Size of Infestation

The size of a mosquito population could impact the total cost to eliminate the pest from your property. One of the easiest ways to determine the size of the infestation is to consider how often you and your family members are bitten. You may frequently see mosquitoes around your property, potentially significant swarms. Mosquito activity is especially heightened during the early morning hours around sunrise and early evening around sunset.

Small infestations may be contained to a single breeding site. Medium infestations may have two to three breeding sites. Large mosquito infestations often have four to five breeding areas on your property. Severe infestations will have six or more distinct breeding sites. The size of your yard and the amount of standing water directly affects mosquito infestations. The following are the average prices you’ll pay for pest control based on the size of the infestation.

Mosquito Exterminator Cost by Location

The location of your mosquito infestation affects how a pest control specialist gets rid of the bugs. The exterminator evaluates the size of the infestation in the area and determines what treatments work best.

For instance, a pest control specialist will rely on more natural methods for mosquitoes in bedrooms since family members will be exposed to any treatments. You will know you have mosquitoes in your bedroom by the presence of bites in the morning since they most often feed at night. Mosquitoes can also be found in other areas of your home with higher moisture levels, such as your bathrooms, kitchen, and even your basement. You will often find them lurking around pipes or other humid areas. Clogged drains mosquitos since the water is trapped. When looking around the exterior of your home, you may find mosquitos around your balcony or garage because outdoor light fixtures may attract them.

Mosquitoes in the yard are a frequent complaint during the late spring to early fall months. Mosquito activity heightens after the temperature climbs above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These treatments typically involve a commercial spray to kill live mosquitoes and prevent infestations for several weeks after treatment. Mosquito treatments for the yard cost $125 to $350. Below you can see the mosquito control service cost based on the area that needs to be treated, with prices ranging from $60 in smaller locations such as bathrooms to $500 in more complicated areas such as drains.

Average Cost of Mosquito Treatment by Company

Each pest control company will have pricing options to get rid of mosquitoes. Franchises are located throughout the United States and offer treatments to remove mosquitoes both inside and outside the home. Private companies are an option and may be available at a reduced cost to franchises. However, franchises follow a strict protocol to get rid of mosquitoes. The following are the most well-established pest control companies that provide mosquito treatment.

Mosquito Inspection

By having a mosquito inspection, you can determine treatment costs and effectiveness. When you hire a mosquito control specialist, their first step is to inspect your yard. This service is usually free because it helps determine the best areas to spray and which services to recommend.

During the inspection, the company looks for standing water sources, thick vegetation, and areas where mosquitoes are likely to gather or breed. This inspection helps determine the costs of your service. People with very large properties may only want parts of it sprayed, while others have vegetation or standing water requiring additional attention.

Types of Mosquitoes

More than 3,000 types of mosquitoes have been identified; however, only about 174 species are found in the U.S. It is important to know the types of mosquitoes as they all breed and feed in different manners. The four most common pests of this genera are the house mosquito, the Asian tiger mosquito, the southern house mosquito, and the yellow fever mosquito.

House Mosquito Control

The house mosquito species is found primarily in the North, East, and Central parts of the United States. This pest is light brown with white stripes. They breed well in standing polluted water sites such as puddles and storm drains. Biting occurs mainly at night. Eggs number anywhere from 50 to 400 and take about two weeks to hatch.

Asian Tiger Mosquito Control

The Asian Tiger mosquito has only been in the U.S. since 1985. These annoying creatures are very vigorous biters, but only the females as males do not bite. They can be identified by bright silver or white striped legs, abdomen, and thorax. The eggs thrive in clean, standing water and are hatched quickly in warmer weather.

Southern House Mosquito

With similar characteristics and behaviors of the house mosquito, the Southern house mosquito is found in, you guessed it, the South. This intrusive little guy is well-known in Florida and is often the ruin of evening festivities without mosquito repellents. They enjoy living near standing and stagnant water and are known to breed all year long, making them a species difficult to eliminate.

Yellow Fever Mosquito

A hearty species for centuries, the yellow fever mosquito caused many deaths during the Spanish-American war. These days the population of these irritating creatures has lessened due to the arrival of the Asian Tiger mosquito. Don’t be fooled, though. The yellow fever mosquito is still alive and well, terrorizing Floridians and residents along the coastal areas of Louisiana and Texas. They are still prevalent in Southern regions and all the way to New York.

All About Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes fly with their front wings. Their back wings are used to balance while flying. These stubborn pests live in soft soil or standing water.

The male mosquito feeds on sugar sources, but the female is a bloodsucker. She depends on the blood of animals or humans to gain strength to lay eggs. A mosquito goes from egg to adult anywhere from a few days to a month. The eggs are released from the female one at a time onto the water’s surface. Within about 48 hours, they become larvae. The larvae live in the water and eat organisms there. They molt four times and then become pupae. Pupae do not eat. They rest for two days, then break open, and an adult mosquito emerges. The adult mosquito waits on the surface of the water until its wings are dry and ready to fly.

Where Do Mosquitoes Nest?

Mosquitoes don’t technically nest in the same manner as other types of pests. Other pests, such as carpenter ants, build habitats for breeding purposes. Mosquitoes don’t have the same social behaviors. Although they don’t nest, certain conditions attract the bugs and help them thrive.

Water is one of the main attractants for mosquitoes. Pet bowls that don’t have fresh water could be one draw for mosquitoes to a home. Plant saucers and areas around faucets are other areas that may attract mosquitoes inside. Even the smallest amount of stagnant water could allow for breeding. Mosquitoes lay the eggs in the dirty water sources, and if left unattended, the eggs hatch inside the water a couple of days later.

A lot of puddles or other types of standing water could draw mosquitoes to a home. Ponds, fountains, and bird baths allow for prime mosquito breeding. Adult mosquitoes are drawn to yards with shrubbery and tall grass since they tend to swarm there when not breeding.

Mosquito Diseases and Health Risks

The exasperating buzz of mosquitoes as they surround you and the itchy bites are not the only concerning things about mosquitoes. These tiny insects are heavy carriers of disease and often present a health risk.

One illness they can cause that leads to headache, rash, pain, and fever is the zika virus. It can also lead to brain defects if a pregnant woman contracts it. West Nile Virus can be another concern with mosquitoes and can result in serious illness, though it rarely proves fatal. Encephalitis is a disease passed by mosquitos that can result in fatality, with 30% dying after contracting the illness. Others will have fever, inflammation, tiredness, and nausea.

Dengue is another disease passed by mosquitos that occurs in the U.S. Contraction can lead to four types of illnesses. In some cases, infected people may die within hours of being bitten. A relatively new mosquito disease in the U.S. is Chikungunya, which causes fever and joint pain. Though most cases are mild, it can result in serious disease.

What Attracts Mosquitoes?

Some mosquitoes prefer to bite during the day while other types like nighttime. About 85 percent of people emit a chemical signal that tells mosquitoes their blood type. The aggravating bugs prefer ‘O’ type blood over ‘A’ type blood, and type ‘B’ is somewhere in between. They also prefer people who exhale more carbon dioxide, who are warmer naturally, and who sweat more. They love smelly areas, such as feet and ankles. Mosquitoes prefer dark-colored clothing and pregnant women.

Your diet could affect if mosquitoes are attracted to you. Pungent smelling foods, such as strong cheeses or beers, could attract mosquitoes. Your smell after exercise could draw mosquitoes, not only from the perspiration but also from the lactic acid produced from the workout. Floral scented lotions, soaps, and perfumes may be a draw to mosquitoes when worn.

Signs of a Mosquito Infestation

Seeing live mosquitoes is the most common sign of an infestation. However, since mosquitoes don’t swarm during the daytime hours, you may not notice them immediately. If you see them, they’re often spotted during the early morning and early evening hours. If the mosquitoes aren’t spotted, you will likely hear them since they make a distinct high-pitched buzzing sound. A key sign that there’s an infestation is if you or family members get bitten. Male mosquitoes don’t need blood to survive. Female mosquitoes require blood for breeding purposes, which means if you’re bitten, the pests will be laying eggs on your property.

Standing water around your yard is another sign that you’re likely to have a mosquito infestation. This is especially true if you live in areas with a humid climate. Finally, if you notice the pests inside your home, populations have likely grown significantly outside.

Pet Safe Mosquito Control

You will have to let your technician know about pets in the home before booking a mosquito control appointment. Treatments used by pest control companies against mosquitoes must be registered by the EPA and can’t pose a threat to any pets. The pest control company will recommend that pets and family members stay indoors for 30 minutes after application. However, the sprays used can be toxic to fish. Any areas with decorative ponds must be avoided during service appointments. If homeowners have concerns about pet safety, they can speak to representatives about all-natural options. Costs are comparable and usually fall into the range of $75 to $95 per visit.

Mosquito Repellent Safety

When you have chemicals applied to parts of your yard, some safety concerns arise. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved several chemicals for spraying. Always ask which compounds are being applied to your yard and whether they are EPA-approved. The most common include pyrethrin, a naturally-derived compound made from chrysanthemums. However, your pest control service may use any number of chemicals or compounds. Most insecticides are designed to break down safely without harming vegetation or animals. However, misapplying chemicals, such as using greater concentrations than suggested, may have adverse effects on vegetation and be toxic to children and pets. Always use a licensed control service rather than attempting to apply these chemicals yourself.

How to Prevent Mosquitoes

Prevention techniques taken by homeowners help prevent and control mosquitos. Since mosquitoes breed in standing water, empty or replace water regularly to diminish breeding. Mosquito prevention in the backyard includes replacing water frequently in bird baths, animal bowls, overwatered planters, and drainage areas. If you have ponds or ornamental water, consider adding mosquito-eating fish to the water to control the mosquito population.

Some plants can help with mosquito prevention in the yard. Lemongrass, catnip or catmint, lavender, garlic, and several other plants are thought to repel mosquitoes. Planting these around the perimeter of your yard can repel mosquitoes and make control more effective.

To prevent attracting mosquitoes, consider switching to yellow deck lights in your landscaping. Traps, zappers, and candles are all considered ineffective methods of controlling or preventing mosquitoes.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Organic Mosquito Spray for Yard

Organic treatments are available, such as those containing garlic, that kill adult mosquitoes. Some control companies offer these compounds as an alternative to chemicals. Keep in mind, even though the main ingredient is organic, chemicals may be added to make the spray more effective. The organic spraying costs about $75 to $95 per treatment.

Mosquito Misting System Cost

If mosquitoes are an ongoing problem, you may want to invest in a misting system that eliminates regular visits and offers even more control. They cost around $1,500 to $4,000 on average.