How Much Does It Cost To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes rank high on the list of unwanted pests in people’s lives. They drive you inside at night and prevent you from enjoying your morning coffee on the patio. They also spread serious diseases like West Nile virus, Zika virus, and dengue fever. That’s why many homeowners hire a professional mosquito control company to treat their property regularly.

On average, a one-time mosquito treatment costs between $135 and $251, and the cost to treat your property for the entire season falls between $373 and $694, depending on the length of your season and the size of your property. 

In this guide, we discuss the different factors that affect the cost of professional mosquito control. Once your yard is treated, you can finally throw a backyard party without the smell of mosquito repellent hanging in the air.

Cost to exterminate mosquitoes

These costs are derived from national averages.

Factors affecting mosquito control cost

The cost of mosquito treatment depends on several factors. The size and location of the infestation, the type of treatment method, and the frequency of the visits are all things to consider. Here is a breakdown. 

Type of treatment

A good pest control company will treat your property based on different factors they see. For instance, a barrier spray may not be effective for your yard; you may need a combination of several types of treatment methods. Also, some chemicals are unsuitable for pets and children, so that’s another factor. The cost of your individualized treatment will depend on the specific methods used.

Larvicide briquettes

Mosquito briquettes are small floatable biodegradable pucks that slowly release a larvicide on the water’s surface. When placed on top of standing water, they kill larvae before they turn into flying insects. Generally, they’re used in conjunction with an insecticidal spray that kills adult mosquitoes. Briquettes are ideal for treatment along the edges of a pond. The cost depends on the number of briquettes used.

Mosquito barrier sprays

Fortunately, mosquitoes cannot fly long distances and must stop and rest every few feet of their journey. That’s why some pest control companies recommend barrier sprays. When used, and a mosquito lands on your perimeter plants, the spray desiccates and kills it. This technique, coupled with eliminating all possible breeding sites on your side of the fence, limits the amount of insecticidal residue in your yard and prevents your neighbor’s mosquitoes from crossing the border. The cost depends on the size of the yard.

Fumigation

Exterminators fumigate the home's inside when mosquitoes invade damp areas like basements. The infested space is closed off, and a highly concentrated flying insect pesticide is released via a fogger or aerosol. The cost depends on the size of the area and the amount of insecticide used.

Synthetic and Microencapsulated

Microencapsulated insecticides last longer than other chemicals that break down in the rain or heat. This property makes these insecticides preferred in areas that experience extreme weather conditions. Professionals spray these products manually. They’re not suitable for use in a misting system. The cost depends on the amount of product used.

Fogging

For this treatment, a fog machine disperses a powder or granular mixture into the air, killing adult mosquitoes and mosquito larvae. Exterminators use fogging to cover large areas of an acre or more in minimal time. A professional must apply this method. The cost depends on the size of the property.

Adulticide Spray

Pesticide sprays that kill adult mosquitos deteriorate quickly in the heat or wash away in the rain. However, you can opt for an all-natural spray from pyrethrins, a botanical insecticide from chrysanthemums. Committed naturalists can install a misting system to spray regularly. Otherwise, you can use sprays to which chemicals are added for greater effectiveness. However, they, too, do not leave a lasting residue and must be reapplied frequently. The cost depends on the product used and the frequency of application.

Size of infestation

Often, your property size and the amount of standing water dictate the size of the mosquito infestation because you have more possible breeding sites. When mosquitoes inhabit one breeding site, say a low-lying spot in your lawn, it’s considered a small infestation. Six or more breeding sites are considered a severe infestation. You’ll save money by eliminating mosquitoes when you first notice a problem. When you allow them to spread and create more breeding sites, it costs more to eradicate them. 

Property size

Your property's size and features will influence the mosquito control cost. Most exterminators charge a minimum price for up to a half-acre lot. However, areas of dense vegetation, mulch beds, and places that retain moisture or hold water create breeding sites for mosquitoes. So, if you have these types of areas on your property, it will add to the cost.

Cost of mosquito control by property size

Frequency of treatments

To effectively control mosquitoes throughout the season, contract with a service company for a regular treatment plan. Since the mosquito breeding life cycle is 21 days, treatments of that frequency, from late spring until early fall, ensure the pests do not return. 

How many treatments you require depends on the length of the season in your area of the country. (See the chart below for typical mosquito seasons for each region of the United States.) However, the company will charge a yearly rate and divide it into regular monthly payments to make it more affordable for most homeowners. 

Some exterminators offer a one-time spray to decrease mosquito activity before an event. This service is nice if you’re hosting a big shindig for the 4th of July. But remember, it won’t last the entire season. This one-time treatment will most likely include barrier spray, treating standing water, and spraying the area where your guests will congregate. On average, one-time mosquito treatment costs $135 to $251, depending on location. 

Cost of extermination by frequency of visits

When is mosquito season?

Mosquito season varies by region. Typically, they become active when temperatures rise above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. To thrive, however, they require regular temperatures above 70 degrees. The following chart lists the typical mosquito season for each state.

Mosquito season by region of the country

How much does mosquito control cost?

Budget-friendly mosquito control

A budget-friendly mosquito treatment includes purchasing a DIY mosquito spray or fogger. The average cost is $25, depending on the size of the container and how large of an area it covers.

If you have already performed the preventative measures discussed below and believe your mosquito problem is temporary, the least expensive option is to treat your property yourself. Focus on vegetation around the perimeter of the yard and low-lying areas.

Mid-range mosquito control

The average cost of a one-time treatment ranges from $135 to $251, depending on the length of your season.

With a mid-range budget, you can hire a professional exterminator to perform a one-time treatment. This option is ideal if you don’t usually have a mosquito problem but want to be safe before a big event. 

High-end mosquito control

The average price in the high-end mosquito service tier is $800 to $2,000 and includes seasonal treatment of an acre property or larger.

Homeowners with larger budgets typically opt for a seasonal mosquito control treatment plan. They may even add it to their regular pest control plan that treats the home for other insects like termites, bed bugs, and fleas. Bundling services like this will save you money. This option is best if you want to keep the mosquito population down throughout the year and if you have a large piece of property. 

How to tell if you need mosquito control services

When you see, hear, or feel the bite of mosquitoes, you need mosquito control services. These whining pests are typically active in the early morning and evening hours–just when you want to enjoy your morning cuppa on the deck or dine al fresco and watch the sunset. If mosquitoes make these activities impossible, don’t reach for a citronella candle. Reach for your phone and call a pest control company for a consultation.

Ways to prevent mosquitoes at home

You can do several things to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your yard. Here are a few preventative tactics to help you get ahead of the mosquito battle this season.

• Tidy the yard – Perform regular yard inspections to look for stagnant water. Remove items like old tires or flower pots from behind the shed and store them under cover where they won’t collect rainwater.
• Clean the gutters – Leaf-filled gutters hold water and create an attractive place for mosquitoes to breed. Also, ensure the splash guards below the downspouts properly drain the water rather than collect it.
• Regrade the yard – Some pest control companies offer this service to eliminate low-lying areas that collect water. Also, installing proper drainage systems will eliminate other possible breeding grounds by ensuring water doesn’t collect in your crawl space or basement.
• Keep water moving – Mosquitoes won’t lay eggs in moving water like a stream. So, water features like a fountain seldom attract them. However, birdbaths and yard ponds will. To prevent mosquitoes from turning your water features into a breeding ground, install pumps to keep the water moving. Or, add mosquito-eating fish to your pond.
• Plant insect-repelling plants – Herbs that emit a strong scent will repel mosquitoes. Adding them to the perimeter of your yard, flower beds, and in pots by the doors will discourage mosquitoes from taking up residence in your yard or entering your home. The best options include lavender, basil, pennyroyal, mint, catnip, lemongrass, marigold, rosemary, scented geranium, bee balm, sage, and allium.

No matter how vigilant you are in preventing mosquitoes, they could be breeding on the other side of the fence at your neighbor’s house. If you’ve done everything to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and still have a problem, consider using a barrier spray treatment. 

Cost of DIY mosquito control

You can treat your yard for mosquitoes yourself by purchasing treatments from the local hardware or big box store. The cost of DIY remedies depends on the size of the area and the product you purchase. Typically, the average price of a DIY mosquito spray or fogger is $25, depending on the size of the container and how large an area it covers.

Pros and cons of DIY mosquito control

Many homeowners attempt mosquito control on their own. Sometimes it works, and sometimes they have to call for reinforcements. Here are the pros and cons of DIYing your mosquito control campaign.

Pros

• Cost – You don’t have to pay a professional to perform the labor. You can easily do it yourself.
• Control – You control application frequency and chemical choices. Homeowners who want to limit exposure and use all-natural products appreciate this level of control.

Cons

• Access – Some treatment methods are available only to professionally licensed users.
• Know-how – Professional exterminators know their business. Their expert knowledge ensures the best remedy for your situation. Their knowledge keeps you safe and worry-free.
• Less exposure – Applying the chemicals to your yard increases your exposure risk. 

Paying for mosquito control

Most homeowners manage the expense of mosquito control out of pocket. Many pest control companies offer monthly payment plans concurrent with mosquito season to make regular treatments affordable. When interviewing possible extermination companies, ask about their pricing models, and what they include, and any payment plans that could save money.

However, if you have water infiltration in your crawl space or basement that attracts breeding mosquitoes, you may need financial help to eliminate the root source of your problem–proper drainage. For this scenario, you may consider withdrawing funds from your home equity line of credit (HELOC). If you don’t have a HELOC in place, contact a lender to learn the application process.

Other considerations

A couple of other things to consider when hiring a professional mosquito exterminator.

• Location – Costs vary by location. Because mosquito season varies by climate, you’ll pay according to how long the season is where you live. 
• Customer reviews – Ask your friends and family to recommend reputable pest control service providers. Then, read their online reviews to help you choose the best company for you.

Enjoy a scratch-free summer

Don’t let mosquitoes put a bite on your summer plans. Employ a mosquito prevention program to enjoy a scratch-free summer. Contact a local pest management company for a free quote; they will help you find something in your price range. Don’t know who to call?