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 to spray your yard for mosquitoes starts at $325 for less than ¼ acre.

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 to spray mosquitoes depends on the specific spraying method used:

Mosquito Barrier Spray

Mosquito barriers or repellents are typically DIY products. DIY is not recommended for mosquito control, as it is often dangerous for humans and pets. Also, many products wash away with rain, so they are ineffective. Natural products often contain essential oils that can destroy paint on your home and car. Pricing ranges from $20 to $50.

Mosquito Larvicide

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. They range from $50 to $100 to install.

Synthetic and Microencapsulated Mosquito Control

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. The cost for synthetic and microencapsulated mosquito control is $60 to $75 per treatment.

Mosquito Adulticide Spray

Although some companies claim the spray they are using is organic, the EPA has ruled that many are not. While the main ingredient, pyrethrin, is 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 mosquito misting system. The spraying costs about $75 to $100 per treatment. If used with a misting system, the cost is considerably more at $2,500.

Mosquito Control Service Cost

The process of treating mosquitoes varies depending on the size of the property, type and amount of vegetation, and months of treatment. When treating the property, the technician typically walks around and sprays the underside of vegetation-dense areas, places where people gather, and places like the underside of your deck. They also check for sources of standing water to determine if larvicide is required.

Generally, labor costs are based on the size of your property and the amount you want to be sprayed. For a half-acre property, a typical visit is between $75 and $100. For seasonal spraying, however, costs per visit can be less. For a half-acre property with seasonal spraying from May to September, the average price for the entire season is $500.

Seasonal Service vs. One-time Special Event Mosquito Treatment

Most mosquito control companies offer a range of services. These include seasonal services, which can start anytime from April to September, and one-time services often used for special events.

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 $150 to $250.

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 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

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

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.

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.

Some mosquitos 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.

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.

• Zika. The symptoms are often mild--fever, rash, headache, and pain in joints and muscles. Although few people die from Zika, it can cause severe brain defects in unborn babies if the mother becomes infected. Although most cases have been outside of the United States, particularly in the last couple of years, several documented cases occurred in the U.S. from 2016 to 2017.
• West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus is the most reported disease in the U.S. that is related to mosquitoes. While there is no vaccine for this illness, very few people show symptoms when infected. About 1 in 150 people become seriously ill due to West Nile; however, it can be fatal. To date, it is believed to only be transferable by a mosquito bite.
• Encephalitis. The two known types of encephalitis include Eastern Equine and St. Louis. Both types are a viral infection that occurs due to the bite of a mosquito. The victim presents with fever, vomiting, headache, tiredness, and nausea. The virus creates inflammation in the brain resulting in encephalitis. Approximately 30% of people with encephalitis die or have continued neurological problems.
• Dengue. Dengue is a fairly widespread virus covering about 100 countries throughout the world, including the United States. There are four different illnesses related to the dengue virus, all caused by a mosquito bite. One in four people bitten by an infected mosquito become sick and can die within hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, rash, aches, and pains.
• Chikungunya. Initially, Chikungunya was only a problem in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. However, in 2013, the virus was reported throughout the Americas and has grown since then. The symptoms are mainly fever and joint pain. However, as is the case with other mosquito-borne diseases, Chikungunya can develop into a much more serious condition.

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.

Mosquito Prevention at Home

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 $50 to $75 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 $2,500 on average.