Mosquitoes are known to linger around areas with standing water. This is because mosquitoes have to lay their eggs in stagnant water in order for them to develop and hatch properly. The key to preventing a mosquito problem in your yard is by stopping mosquitoes from laying eggs in the first place. This required knowing how to look for potential mosquito breeding grounds around your property. But if, in doing so, you notice mosquito larvae in water, what are you supposed to do? The experts at Dugas Pest Control are here to share their top tips to safely kill mosquito larvae to prevent an infestation—read on to learn more!

Where is Mosquito Larvae Found?

There’s a reason why mosquitoes are so frequently found near ponds and marshes—they need a source of standing water in order to reproduce. After a female mosquito bites someone, she is able to lay her eggs in water. It is from there that mosquito eggs will hatch and develop into larvae. The larvae can be found in a number of areas in your yard. Some of the most common mosquito breeding sites include:

Ponds
Birdbaths
Pools and spas
Gutters and puddles
Garden planters
Childrens’ playsets
Tarps
Buckets

How to Safely Kill Mosquito Larvae

A “raft” of mosquito eggs can look as small as a speck in the water. This makes it important to cover any source of standing water in your yard or to regularly tip out water that pools up. There are also a few all-natural ways you can discourage mosquito larvae from developing properly. Some of the things you can add to water to kill mosquito larvae includes:

Dish soap or shampoo: Liquid soap is known to effectively kill mosquito larvae. Just a millimeter of dish soap in a gallon of standing water will kill off the larvae.
Oil: Olive oil and vegetable oil will get rid of mosquito eggs and larvae almost immediately. However, you should not put any oils in a pond where fish live or a birdbath.
Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar works to get rid of mosquito larvae in small amounts of water. Add enough apple cider vinegar so that it makes up about 15% of the total liquid.

Outdoor Mosquito Prevention

If you’ve done all you can to put an end to the mosquito life cycle in your backyard to no avail, it’s time to get in touch with your local mosquito control experts. At Dugas Pest Control, our specialists will pinpoint and target all mosquito breeding grounds around your home. We will work hard to prevent mosquitoes before they hatch. Contact us today to learn more!