How to Treat Your Yard for Mosquitoes

How to Treat Your Yard for Mosquitoes

Treating your yard for mosquitoes works best when you address both where mosquitoes breed and where adult mosquitoes rest. Mosquitoes need water during their early life stages, while adults often spend time in shaded, protected vegetation around lawns, landscaping, patios and decks.

A complete yard-treatment approach combines standing-water removal, landscaping maintenance and appropriate treatment of mosquito-prone outdoor areas.

Why Are Mosquitoes in Your Yard?

Your property may provide mosquitoes with several things they need:

• Standing water for breeding

• Shade

• Moisture

• Dense vegetation

• Protected resting areas

• Access to people and animals

Warm temperatures and rainfall can make these conditions even more favorable.

Step 1: Inspect Your Entire Yard

Before applying any treatment, walk around your property and identify potential mosquito problem areas.

Look for:

• Standing water

• Shaded vegetation

• Dense shrubs

• Tall grass

• Overgrown landscaping

• Damp areas

• Clogged gutters

• Containers that collect rainwater

• Protected areas around decks and patios

This inspection helps you determine where your mosquito-control efforts should be focused.

Step 2: Eliminate Standing Water

Removing unnecessary standing water is one of the most important parts of mosquito control.

Check:

• Buckets

• Flowerpots

• Plant saucers

• Children's toys

• Wheelbarrows

• Tarps

• Outdoor containers

• Birdbaths

• Pet water containers

• Clogged gutters

• Low spots that hold water

Empty, drain or appropriately maintain unnecessary water sources whenever possible.

Step 3: Check Gutters and Drainage

Leaves and debris can clog gutters and prevent water from draining.

Regularly inspect:

• Gutters

• Downspouts

• Drainage areas

• Low areas around the property

Correct drainage problems where practical so water doesn't remain standing longer than necessary.

Step 4: Maintain Birdbaths and Water Features

Birdbaths, fountains and other outdoor water features don't necessarily need to be removed, but they should be properly maintained.

Avoid allowing stagnant water to remain unmanaged.

Follow the appropriate maintenance procedures for each type of water feature.

Step 5: Mow the Lawn

Keeping your lawn maintained can reduce some of the protected vegetation adult mosquitoes may use.

Pay particular attention to:

• Shaded lawn areas

• Around trees

• Along fences

• Around patios

• Near shrubs

• Property boundaries

Don't allow less-visible areas of the yard to become excessively overgrown.

Step 6: Trim Shrubs and Dense Landscaping

Adult mosquitoes often rest in shaded vegetation.

Trim and maintain:

• Shrubs

• Bushes

• Groundcover

• Tall weeds

• Dense landscaping

• Vegetation surrounding outdoor living areas

Reducing excessively dense growth can improve airflow and make some areas less favorable for mosquitoes.

Step 7: Identify Mosquito Resting Areas

Once you've addressed standing water, focus on where adult mosquitoes may be spending time.

Common resting areas can include:

• Shrubs and bushes

• Under trees

• Shaded vegetation

• Dense landscaping

• Fence lines

• Under decks

• Around patios

• Other cool, protected areas

These locations can be particularly important when applying an outdoor mosquito treatment.

Step 8: Apply Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield

Apply Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield according to the product label directions.

Focus appropriate treatment on outdoor areas where mosquitoes are likely to rest and spend time.

Depending on the approved uses on the label, these may include appropriate areas around:

• Lawns

• Landscaping

• Shrubs

• Bushes

• Trees

• Fence lines

• Yard edges

• Patios and decks

• Other mosquito-prone outdoor areas

Always follow the label regarding application method, coverage and amount of product to use.

Step 9: Pay Extra Attention Around Patios and Decks

If mosquitoes are interfering with outdoor activities, inspect the vegetation and surrounding areas near your patio or deck.

Look for:

• Dense shrubs

• Shaded plants

• Containers holding water

• Damp areas

• Poor drainage

• Overgrown landscaping

Addressing the habitat surrounding outdoor living areas can help reduce mosquito activity where you spend the most time.

Step 10: Allow the Treatment to Work

After application, follow the Natural Armor product label regarding:

• Drying time

• Rainfall or watering

• When people may enter treated areas

• When pets may enter treated areas

• Any other post-application precautions

Avoid watering or disturbing treated areas unless directed by the product instructions.

Step 11: Check the Yard Again After Rain

Rain can create new mosquito breeding areas even after you've already treated your property.

After rainfall, inspect:

• Buckets

• Planters

• Toys

• Tarps

• Outdoor furniture

• Containers

• Gutters

• Yard equipment

Remove unnecessary standing water as soon as practical.

Step 12: Reapply as Directed

Outdoor conditions change constantly.

Rain, irrigation, vegetation growth and seasonal mosquito activity may affect your yard over time.

Follow the Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield product label regarding whether and when another application should be performed.

Never apply more product or treat more frequently than directed.

Should You Spray Your Entire Yard?

Follow the product label regarding appropriate treatment coverage.

However, mosquito activity isn't necessarily distributed evenly throughout the property.

Pay particular attention to:

• Shaded vegetation

• Shrubs

• Dense landscaping

• Fence lines

• Areas underneath trees

• Outdoor living areas

• Other protected resting locations

Targeting likely mosquito habitat can make your overall yard-management strategy more focused.

Don't Rely on Yard Spray Alone

Spraying can be one part of mosquito control, but mosquitoes may continue to reproduce if standing water remains around the property.

Combine appropriate treatment with:

• Standing-water removal

• Gutter maintenance

• Drainage improvement

• Regular mowing

• Shrub trimming

• Vegetation management

• Routine yard inspections

Treat Your Yard With Natural Armor

Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield is designed to help control fleas, ticks and mosquitoes in appropriate outdoor areas when used according to the product directions.

For mosquitoes, focus on both sides of the problem: remove potential breeding areas and address appropriate locations where adult mosquitoes rest.

Combining Natural Armor treatment with regular standing-water removal and yard maintenance can provide a more complete approach to reducing mosquito activity around your lawn, landscaping, patio and other outdoor spaces.

Always read and follow all application instructions, approved uses and precautions on the Natural Armor Flea, Tick & Mosquito Shield product label.