Summary: Mosquito season is here, so everyone is looking for ways to prevent mosquitoes from ruining their day. This blog explains 10 easy ways to prevent mosquitoes in the warmer months. They’re easy tasks for any homeowner to complete along with their usual chores. Romney Pest Control provides reliable mosquito control for Texas homes.
It’s mosquito season! Of course, you don’t need us to tell you that. Take one step outside in spring and summer, and you’ll be met with a horde of hungry mosquitoes. Since female mosquitoes can lay up to 200 eggs at once, these bloodsuckers have no problem taking over a backyard.
One of the most popular topics of conversation this time of year is mosquito prevention. After all, who wouldn’t want to keep these pests away from their home? DIY prevention isn’t an exact science, but taking certain steps to lower your yard’s appeal to mosquitoes is a worthwhile cause.
Let’s talk about the 10 easiest ways (according to us) to prevent mosquitoes from ruining your fun this year!
1. Eliminate Standing Water
Why? Mosquitoes need just half an inch (aka a bottle cap) of water to produce eggs.
An online search of “how to prevent mosquitoes” may have gotten you this blog (welcome!), but it also likely gave you one consistent answer. Removing any stagnant water from your yard will work wonders in preventing mosquitoes, especially when it’s humid. Make it a habit to dump out the water from anything in the yard after it rains or the sprinklers run.
The most common items that collect water include:
- Buckets
- Plant trays or saucers
- Toys
- Wheelbarrows
- Old tires
- Barrels
- Tarps
- Yard decor
On that note, items that are meant to hold water (birdbath, a pet’s water bowl, kiddie pool) should have their water changed often. The longer the water sits, the more likely it is to attract mosquitoes.
2. Keep Gutters Clear
Why? Stagnant water and natural debris are great breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Clogged gutters and downspouts are frustrating for us, but they’re very exciting for female mosquitoes who need an egg-laying site. Make sure the water clearly flows out of the gutters and downspouts, especially during the rainy months. If natural debris creates a clog, use a shop vac or utility gloves to remove the blockage.
Gutter guards are a great solution if you don’t already have them. They’re easy to install and prevent large debris and pests (like mosquitoes!) from clogging the gutters.
3. Keep the Yard Tidy
Why? Mosquitoes live in thick brush and tall grass when they’re not near water.
There’s no easier spot for tiny mosquitoes to hide than inside overgrown plants. In spring and summer, it’s especially important to keep the yard maintained since this is when mosquitoes are the most active. All of the usual yard chores double as easy ways to prevent mosquitoes (and others) from invading your outdoor space.
Overall, the goal of this method is to tidy up the yard so that it doesn’t get overgrown. Mow the lawn, pull weeds, and trim the shrubbery on a regular basis.
4. Check Door & Window Screens
Why? Mosquitoes are small enough to invade houses through tiny entry points.
It’s great to let fresh air into your home by opening up the doors and windows, but make sure you aren’t letting pests in too! Check each door and window screen for damage, including holes, rips, and gaps. Replace any screens that are worse for wear. Depending on the situation, you can either just replace the mesh, or get a new screen for that door or window.
5. Use Repellant Plants
Why? Some plants produce powerful scents that repel mosquitoes from the immediate area.
It’s not a guarantee to deter every mosquito from your yard, but having certain repellant plants can make a difference. Mosquitoes, like most bugs, don’t like strong-smelling flowers. It’s an intentional feature of these plants to act as self-defense. A nice bonus is that any of these flowers or plants would be pleasant additions to any Texas yard!
The plants that are most recommended for mosquito prevention are:
- Marigolds
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Citronella
- Catnip
- Herbs (basil, rosemary, etc.)
6. Make Sure the Lawn Drains Properly
Why? If the lawn has stagnant water, mosquitoes have plenty of breeding grounds.
You may have noticed a pattern with mosquito prevention so far. The less stagnant water you have, the easier it’ll be to repel them. Look for low areas in the lawn that naturally collect water. An area that’s oversaturated with minimal water needs to be addressed.
If your lawn has a drainage issue, look into solutions, like aeration or outside assistance from a lawn care service. In spring, running the sprinklers once a week should be enough without overwatering.
7. Use Coffee Grounds
Why? Mosquitoes despise strong scents and won’t want to live near coffee grounds.
Don’t throw out those used coffee grounds! They’re a natural mosquito repellant that is pretty reliable, even though the reasoning behind its effects are still being studied. The basic theory is that the compounds in coffee grounds are repulsive to mosquitoes.
After you make a delicious cup of coffee in the morning, sprinkle the grounds in damp areas of the yard or around plants (it’s also great compost!). This will kill any mosquito larvae living in that area and prevent mosquitoes from laying more eggs there.
8. Prepare For Outdoor Activities
Why? Mosquitoes find hosts by detecting our body heat, sweat, and carbon dioxide output.
There are a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy in our great state, especially during these months. If you don’t want to come home with a bunch of mosquito bites, there’s a few basic tasks you can do beforehand. Mosquitoes are usually active at dusk and dawn, so it’s a good idea to wear a thin long-sleeved shirt and pants if you’ll be outside at those times.
If you do just one thing to prepare for being outside, it should be using bug repellant that says it repels mosquitoes. Choose a spray that has DEETs, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil for maximum effect. Spray your clothes and exposed skin, being careful to avoid your face.
9. Create a Plan for Outdoor Gatherings
Why? Mosquitoes have weaknesses that can (and should) be targeted in order to protect your guests.
Speaking of preparing for the outdoors, don’t forget to prepare for any outdoor gatherings you’re hosting this spring! Your guests will appreciate any preventative measures you put in place for the party. You can use any combination of these prevention methods to repel mosquitoes from the entertaining space.
The easiest ways to repel mosquitoes from an outdoor party are:
- Fans — Place fans around the party space to prevent weak-flying mosquitoes from detecting everyone’s scents.
- Smoke — If you plan on using a fire pit or a barbecue, good news! The smoke keeps mosquitoes from getting too close to anyone near the fire.
- Citronella Candles — While not a perfect solution, citronella candles are a classic for a reason. Light them around the party area to help reduce the number of mosquitoes.
- Mosquito Traps — Carbon dioxide-based sticky traps can take care of those sporadic mosquitoes that always seem to get a few bites in before they leave.
10. Schedule Regular Mosquito Services
Why? Consistent inspections and treatments prevent mosquitoes from reproducing.
If your yard is infested with mosquitoes every year, professional mosquito services are an efficient solution. The experienced technician will supply high-coverage treatments — often using a power mister — that eliminate and prevent mosquitoes long after the service. They can also give you targeted advice on staying pest-free in between treatments.
If you live in the greater Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio areas, Romney Pest Control is a reliable resource for all things mosquitoes.
Romney Keeps Your Home Mosquito-Free
All of these tasks are efficient ways to repel mosquitoes from your yard, but the tenth step makes the most impact. The licensed technicians of Romney Pest Control provide efficient mosquito control from April through October. Once dry, our treatments are family-friendly and pet-friendly. You don’t have to worry about toxic chemicals in your yard when you choose Romney.
We understand the importance of reliable mosquito control in Texas, especially in the warmer months. Our dedicated team is excited to prevent mosquitoes from taking over your yard this year. Contact us today for a free quote on our mosquito services!
Citations
Magerl, K. (2024, July 8). How to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard. Lawn Love. Available at https://lawnlove.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-mosquitoes-in-yard/ (Accessed on April 17, 2025).
Milbrand, L. (2024, July 31). How to get rid of mosquitoes outside your home. Real Simple. Available at https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/maintenance-repairs/strategies (Accessed on April 17, 2025).
Mosquito-borne diseases. (n.d.). Texas Health and Human Services: Texas Department of State Health Services. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases
Mosquito prevention and control. (n.d.). Greenville. Retrieved April 17, 2025, from https://www.ci.greenville.tx.us/720/Mosquito-Prevention
