Mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance—they can carry serious diseases. Female mosquitoes require blood meals to lay their eggs, and they can transmit viruses that cause neurological or potentially fatal illness in humans and pets.
Rather than spraying repellent or relying on bug zappers that only offer short-term control, consider a combination of approaches.
1. Mosquito Barrier
Flies and Mosquitoes Treatment Barrier is an all-natural spray that works against mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, gnats, and black flies. It uses pyrethrins, organic compounds extracted from the flowers of chrysanthemum plants. It repels insects and also contains a natural oil that suffocates them when they come into contact with it. It is safe for children, pets, birds, wildlife and fish when applied according to label directions. It will not kill beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies and is safe to use in areas where food gardens are planted.
This product is a great alternative to misting systems that use synthetic chemical pesticides to kill mosquitoes and other harmful organisms. It is sprayed from a garden hose and is not meant to be sprayed directly on people or animals, which is why it is safer than a traditional misting system. It is also easy to use and does not have the odor of traditional insecticides such as DEET and octenol.
It can be used to treat a yard, garden or other outdoor areas, and it will last about a month. It is safe to spray on trees, shrubs, plants and grasses as well as the surrounding water. It can also be sprayed on standing water to coat the surface of it and prevent breeding. A gallon of this product will cover about a half an acre and it is very effective at controlling mosquitoes, flies and other organisms that can cause disease.
2. Rockwell Labs EVMT016, EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control
Rockwell Labs’ EVMT016 EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control is an effective mosquito control product that contains botanical insect-eliminating ingredients like lemongrass, clove and citronella oil. The oil-based formula sticks to leaves and foliage better than synthetic insecticides, and it also offers long-lasting residual repellency. It can be used in ponds, water features, bird baths and other small bodies of water to help reduce mosquitoes, black flies and other nuisance insects.
It can also be applied as a space spray, including over water, with no setback and no notification requirements (recommend verification with state regulations). EcoVia botanical insecticides are part of a research-based line of minimum-risk EPA 25(b) exempt insecticides from Rockwell Labs, and they provide quick knockdown and kill control and true repellency by acting in the vapor phase.
Mosquito control is a popular service offering for PMPs. Taking a comprehensive approach to mosquito management, which includes targeting different stages of the mosquito life cycle and working with customers to reduce breeding and resting sites, is essential to success in this pest management service. This includes identifying the right mosquito products and treatment options for each customer’s property and implementing an integrated pest management program.
3. Summit Mosquito Dunks
Summit Chemical has been working hard on products that help control mosquitoes for years, and their Mosquito Dunks (find it on Amazon) are a great example of what they’ve come up with. These little biscuit-like objects can be tossed or dropped into standing water where mosquitoes are likely to be present, and then they slowly dissolve over time, releasing a special type of bacteria that helps control the larvae. It’s a lot safer than the old days of simply dumping harsh oils and chemicals in to the water, and the Dunks are not harmful to fish, wildlife, honeybees, or any other animal that may be in the area.
Each Dunk works for about 30 days once it’s in the water, and it can be used in anything that holds water that mosquitoes could use to grow up into disease-spreading adults, including birdbaths, unused swimming pools, rainwater barrels, ponds, and even clogged roof gutters. The best part is that it’s also safe for pets and people and can be placed right in the water, whereas some other types of larvicides need to be mixed in and are often only effective within the first few hours after application.
A 20-pack of Dunks will cost you about $20, a 2-count around $5, and the 6 and 12-packs fall somewhere in between those two. Just remember to follow the product label instructions carefully, and always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment when handling any larvicide.
4. Syngenta Demand CS
Syngenta Demand CS is a professional insecticide that can treat a wide range of insects including spiders, wasps, flies, fleas, ticks, and bed bugs both indoors and outdoors. It contains the synthetic pyrethroid Lambda-Cyhalothrin integrated with micro-encapsulated technology which offers outstanding residual protection for up to 90 days. It has no odor and will not stain surfaces. It is great for spraying indoor cracks and crevices or outdoors for a perimeter barrier treatment.
The iCAP technology in Demand CS forms millions of multiple-sized, dual-walled microcaps around the active ingredient lambda-cyhalothrin. These microcaps easily adhere to pests’ waxy cuticles as they travel along a treated surface, providing fast insect knockdown and long-lasting residual control. It also protects the pyrethroid from UV rays, pH extremes, and absorption into porous surfaces to extend its effectiveness.
Pest management professionals (PMPs) love the results they get with Demand CS, especially on difficult pests like flies and mosquitoes control can carry the deadly West Nile Virus. Watch this video to see why PMPs like Dial Environmental in East Hanover, New Jersey exclusively use Demand CS for their mosquito and tick services. The company’s customers appreciate the fact that Demand CS provides long-lasting results, which allows them to shift to quarterly service instead of monthly.
