Our favorite mosquito control tips to keep them out of your yard — and off your family!

Made from highly-effective bioactive compounds, our natural sprays and granular perimeter treatments get rid of unwanted pests, minus the unwanted chemicals.

A group of friends enjoying a picnic in their backyard at dusk after the yard was treated by ohDEER's mosquito control services.

Mosquitoes transmit diseases to human and animal hosts, from Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) to West Nile virus. And our canine and feline friends can add heartworm disease to that list. Worse, these dangerous little buggers can get you without you even noticing.

Our favorite
mosquito-minimizing
yard care strategies

Yes, mosquitoes are part of the summer landscape, but your yard doesn’t have to be party central. In addition to regular mosquito spray for your yard, there’s a lot you can do to safeguard your property.

Get rid of their breeding grounds:

Mosquitoes love standing water. You should empty bird baths regularly, and dump out wheelbarrows and pails after it rains.

Plant smart:

A container garden of lemongrass and rosemary on your porch smells great and helps keep the bugs at bay. (Look at the ingredient list on our product for inspiration!)

Choose blue, green or white for outdoor decor:

Mosquitoes don’t like these colors — but steer clear of anything red! And add a citronella candle to your patio table.

Clever mosquito control solutions, minus the repellent

We get it: You don’t want suspicious chemicals in the mosquito control spray for your yard, and you definitely don’t want them on your children or your dog! While bug bites are just a part of summer, there’s a lot you can do to reduce the number.

Mosquitoes have terrible vision, but a great sense of smell. They’re attracted to not just blood and sweat (sorry), but anything floral or sweet-smelling. We’re talking to you, rose-scented dryer sheets, strawberry shampoo, lilac lotion …

Those chubby little baby thighs? They’re irresistible to mosquitoes, too. You might also consider putting netting around beds if the kiddos are always leaving the screen door open.

Mosquitoes don’t like to work too hard and will move on if skin is not easy to access. They’re also attracted to the color red and darker colors in general.

“Spray safe” when it comes to bug repellent

Not all bug spray is created equal, and there are plenty of brands that are committed to using natural ingredients. We recommend looking for sprays that repel using essential oils versus harsh chemicals like DEET, unless you’re going into the deep woods. And never apply spray to children under age two. We also recommend avoiding a product that combines sunscreen and bug spray, since you’ll need to apply sunscreen more often than you should apply bug spray. And always be sure to wash your hands after an application.

How to treat a mosquito bite

Most mosquito bites go away on their own in a few days, but boy, can those days be uncomfortable! Your first step is to wash the bite area with soapy water. Dry completely and swab with rubbing alcohol to clear away any remaining mosquito saliva (we know, gross!), which is what your immune system is reacting to. In addition to the usual calamine lotion and anti-itch creams, a cold compress helps reduce swelling and itchiness. And finally, be patient and try not to scratch.