Mosquitoes are loathed for many reasons. Not only are they profoundly annoying, but their bites can cause anything from mild discomfort to serious illnesses like West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, and Dengue—to name just a few.
Fortunately, there are many ways to combat them. However different repellents are better suited for different outdoor events. Some mosquito control options require preemptive applications and access to the property. Other repellents can be used moments before the event.
Mosquito Repellents and Control Options
Mosquito Spray: Look for a bug spray containing either DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the active ingredient in many repellant products, widely used to repel biting insects such as mosquitoes or ticks. DEET products are designed to be applied directly to the skin, often in the form of lotions or sprays. Rather than killing insects, DEET works by making it more difficult for mosquitoes to smell us. DEET has established itself as an extremely effective repellant since it was released to the general public in 1957. In contrast to DEET, picaridin is an odorless repellent infused into a variety of products. For a natural option, products containing OLE with a concentration of 30% have been shown to protect against mosquitoes
Electronic Mosquito Repellant: There are many electronic mosquito repellants (EMRs) on the market. Some of them use ultrasonic frequencies, or frequencies too high to be heard by humans, to supposedly drive away pests. These should be avoided, as studies have shown them to be ineffective. However, some EMRs, like the Thermacell E90 Rechargeable Mosquito Repellant, use a heat-activated Pyrethoid cartridge to drive away insects. Pyrethroid is actually effective at repelling mosquitoes, and in a market full of hype and half-truths, the reviews for this product speak for themselves.
Long Sleeves/Pants: Wearing shorts and a T-shirt in the summer feels good, but it’s easier to get mosquito bites this way. If you want to protect yourself, wear long sleeves and pants. It might not be quite as breezy, but you’ll get less bites. Mosquitoes can bite through thin, tight clothing like spandex and yoga pants, however.
Mosquito Trap: The best traps for mosquitoes are ones that target mosquitoes specifically, not just bugs or flying insects in general. For example, devices that rely on light or heat are indiscriminate bug killers, and research shows that they kill more harmless insects than they do mosquitoes. Researchers at the CDC designed a more specialized trap for the Aedes species that is simple and contains no toxic chemicals. It works by luring females looking to lay eggs inside, then traps them on sticky paper.
Water Treatment for Mosquitos: Commonly known as Mosquito Dunks, they are a safe and effective way to control mosquito larvae in your backyard. They are small, donut-shaped discs that contain a naturally occurring bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) which specifically targets mosquito larvae.
To use mosquito dunks, simply place one dunk in any standing water around your property. The dunk will slowly release the BTI bacteria, which is toxic to mosquito larvae but harmless to other animals, plants, and humans.
Barrier Sprays
Mosquito barrier spray treatments are one of the most effective means of mosquito control in your yard. You’ll notice results almost instantly. We spray the perimeter of your yard, under decks, areas with foliage, bushes, and trees. Mosquitoes are sensitive to the chemicals in the spray, and they will avoid areas that have been treated with the barrier spray.
Fans: A humble desk fan makes for a very effective mosquito repellant, as mosquitoes are weak fliers and can’t land on you if the air circulation in the area is significant.
Best Mosquito Control for Special Events
Outdoor Wedding
- Barrier Spray
- Electronic Repellents
- Water Treatments
When it comes to weddings, everything has to go right—nobody wants to be photographed slapping at mosquitoes during the reading of the vows. Of course, you can’t prevent mosquitoes, but you can work around them. When choosing your venue, it’s best to visit the same time of year you’re planning on holding the ceremony to get an idea of the bug presence. Consider the nature of the location—having a wedding near a body of water is sure to be picturesque, but keep in mind that such an area is bound to be a mosquito hotspot. Depending on the size, mosquito water treatments can be an option. Ask your venue about their pest prevention routine. MissQuito can service any outdoor venue, but you will need permission from the venue before we can apply treatments.
Backyard Barbeque
- Barrier Spray + trap
- Mosquito spray
- Fans
Mosquitoes can quickly turn a backyard get-together into an exasperating itch-fest. Like most insects, mosquitoes are attracted to food and drink, something a backyard barbeque or picnic hopefully has in abundance. The most effective mosquito control for a backyard cook is a barrier spray used in conjunction with a mosquito trap. The barrier spray quickly exterminates the adult mosquitoes while the mosquito trap provides continuous protection.
Fortunately, mosquitoes are not strong fliers and can be blown off course by even the mildest currents of air. Setting up fans to circulate air is one of the most effective measures you can take to keep mosquitoes away from food, drink, and people.
Backyard Campout
- Mosquito spray
- Electronic mosquito repellent
Camping always sounds great on paper, but then you get out in the woods and are quickly assailed by all manner of insects. It doesn’t have to be that way. While it may not be feasible to hook up an electric fan to keep mosquitoes at bay while camping, you could use a portable electronic mosquito-repellent device. The mosquito-repelling capabilities run on a butane cartridge, so you won’t have to plug it in. Throw in some tried and true DEET bug spray and you should ward off any uninvited guests.
Pool Party
- Barrier spray
- Electronic mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes are born in the water, so it stands to reason that mosquito populations are most dense around bodies of water. Pools are no exception. If it’s your pool, try to keep it covered when it’s not in use; this will prevent mosquitoes from reproducing. As an additional measure, you could try lemon eucalyptus oil, a plant-based bug repellant that is available as a spray. Lemon eucalyptus oil is one of the few naturally derived ingredients that are demonstratively effective at repelling mosquitoes.
Youth Sports
- Mosquito spray
- Long sleeves and pants
It can be difficult to properly get immersed in sport when mosquitoes are constantly nagging you. Since many youth sports cover a large area, it isn’t feasible to ward them off with an electronic repellant, as these only cover a limited area. Here, it’s about self-protection. Put on some insect repellant + sunscreen, wear long pants and sleeves if possible, and get in the game.
Holidays
- Barrier spray + mosquito trap
- Mosquito Spray
Outdoor holidays like Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day are always subject to things you can’t control, like the weather. But at least you can exert some control over the ever-present mosquito issue. Since food and drink are often an integral part of these festivities, a pyrethroid electronic mosquito repellant—which is odorless and keeps a bedroom-sized area mosquito-free for an entire evening—would be appropriate. In addition to that, sunscreen + mosquito repellent should cover all the bases.
As always, if you are hosting events on your property, a seasonal agreement with MissQuito will ensure your property stays mosquito-free all year.
The Best Mosquito Control for Events
The best way to treat mosquito bites is to avoid them. If you are hosting any outdoor events, consider investing in mosquito control services. This will make your event more enjoyable and comfortable for you and your guests.
At MissQuito, we offer one-term services for special events. We need to apply the treatment at least 24 hours before the event to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Our all-female team of trained experts targets mosquitos throughout their entire lifecycle using a variety of eco-friendly mosquito repellants. With same-day service and the ability to work around your schedule, our mosquito control is as convenient as it is effective.