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' That Reduce Home Value Ad Expert Tips to Get Rid of Backyard Mosquitos—and Reclaim Your Summer Evenings Enjoy your summer nights, minus the bites. By Caroline Lubinsky Published on July 1, 2025 Outdoor patio with chairs around a table under an umbrella, near a tree and illuminated string lights Credit: Wirestock / Getty Images Key Points Mosquitoes are drawn to backyards with standing water, dense greenery, and carbon dioxide exhaled by people and animals. To fight mosquitoes, clean up standing water, trim shady plants, and consider using netting or mosquito traps. Hiring a professional can help identify problem areas and safely control mosquitoes without harming helpful insects like bees. In the summer, the evenings are long, the pool is glistening, outdoor cooking is at its peak—and pesky mosquitoes are ready to pounce. But with a little preparation and some smart strategies, you'll be able to get rid of mosquitoes in your backyard and take back your alfresco summer days and nights. We consulted with a pest control expert and award-winning entomologist to get the 4-1-1 on outdoor mosquito control for a mostly bite-free summer. Tony King, pest control expert and founder of The Pied Piper Pest Control Co. Limited Dr. Tracy Ellis, award-winning entomologist at FarmSense Mosquito Season Is Here—These 10 Cities Will Have It the Worst What Attracts Mosquitoes to Backyards Feel like mosquitoes are flocking to your outdoor oasis? “Mosquitoes do not fly far from their original larval development location, often anywhere from a few hundred feet to a couple of miles, depending on the species,” entomologist Dr. Tracy Ellis explains. “Generally speaking, when you are pursued by mosquitoes, they are from a breeding location nearby.” “Mosquito attraction to a location depends on the life stage and sex of the mosquito,” Ellis says. She explains that once a female mosquito reaches adulthood, it looks for a suitable location for egg laying, provided it has a nearby meal (you and any visiting guests). Here are some factors that may have made your backyard an attractive breeding ground: Standing Water According to pest control expert Tony King, standing water is the number one attractor to mosquitoes, as it's the ideal spot for them to lay their eggs. "This can be obvious, like birdbaths and puddles," he says, "but also not so obvious—like clogged gutters, watering cans left outside, or the trays under flower pots." Ellis adds that even the branch junctions of trees (where the branches connect to the trunk) can collect little pools of water, in which mosquitoes will happily lay their eggs. Carbon Dioxide Ever experience a swarm of mosquitoes appear after a backyard barbecue? Here's why: “Female mosquitoes are also attracted to the carbon dioxide we and animals exhale—so a backyard with a lot of activity, especially in the evening, becomes a hot spot,” King explains. Dense Shade and Tall Grass If your backyard has a lot of tall grass, consider giving it a trim to help prevent mosquitoes. Mosquitoes love overgrown grass and dense shade, King explains. This is where they typically spend most of their time. Don't Miss How to Make DIY Mosquito Repellent That Will Actually Prevent Bites Lavender and essential oils 9 Plants That Naturally Repel Ticks From Your Yard—and Look Great, Too Pink Coneflower and Lavender Plants with a lush green foliage background in bokeh How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in the Backyard Mosquitos flying Credit: Monique Krueger Besides taking preventive measures (such as wearing insect repellent clothing and sprays), there are a few steps you can and should take to reduce their presence in your backyard. Habitat Disruption King says that the most effective way to manage mosquitoes long-term is by disrupting their habitats (since that’s where they lay their eggs). Since mosquitoes love standing water, it’s important to inspect your yard for any potential breeding locations and drain them. Ellis suggests dumping your flower pot water saucers, cleaning the gutters, and staying on top of any rainwater that’s collected in bird baths or trash cans. Consider trimming trees to allow water to evaporate from pools. “Trim back bushes and mow the lawn frequently to reduce shady, humid areas where mosquitoes like to rest,” King adds. Try Mosquito Traps “Some homeowners find success with mosquito traps that use carbon dioxide or UV light to lure mosquitoes and capture them,” King explains. “But these methods are much more effective when paired with preventative strategies like water management and professional treatments.” Even while traps can help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your backyard, they’re definitely not a one-and-done solution. Think of them more as a helpful addition to preventative and/or professional intervention. Use Netting “Installing fine mesh screens on windows and adding mosquito netting around outdoor seating areas can provide extra protection,” King says. This is especially smart to do if you don’t have an enclosed porch, but you still want to enjoy your beautiful outdoor space. Plant a Pest-Repelling Garden Your gorgeous garden can have pest-repelling benefits. There are several species of plants that naturally repeal mosquitoes. Plants like catnip, citronella, lemongrass, lavender, and more release odors or contain oils that mosquitoes don't like, keeping them away from your yard. Hire a Professional Pest-control professionals can use their expertise to find and eliminate mosquito breeding sites, Ellis says. Pros are able to identify standing water sources, apply specific treatments based on local mosquito behavior, and help eradicate larvae to keep mosquito populations from rebounding. Above all else, you don't want to take it upon yourself to spray a harmful insecticide that kills helpful pollinators. Explore more: Garden Up Next Martha Stewart Newsletters Follow Us Food Holidays Entertaining Home Gardening Cleaning & Organizing Weddings DIY Beauty & Wellness Living News Shopping About Us Editorial Guidelines Contact Us Privacy Policy Careers Terms of Service Advertise Access TRUSTe's Enterprise Privacy Certification program Martha Stewart is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.