Mosquito control starts with removing standing water where mosquitoes breed, like buckets, saucers, clogged gutters, and toys. Professional programs typically add barrier treatments to shrubs and shaded resting areas every few weeks through the warm season, plus larval control for water that can't be drained. Expect fewer mosquitoes, not none.
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Middle Tennessee's warm, humid summers are ideal for mosquitoes. Between spring and fall, many homeowners find their decks and yards hard to enjoy. A professional mosquito program won't eliminate every mosquito in the neighborhood, but it can noticeably cut down on biting around your home.
Know your mosquitoes
- Asian tiger mosquito. A small black-and-white mosquito common in Tennessee that bites aggressively during the day and breeds in small containers of water around homes.
- Culex mosquitoes. Often active around dusk and night. Some Culex species can carry West Nile virus, which has been detected in Tennessee.
Because the most common backyard mosquitoes breed in small amounts of standing water close to where they bite, what happens in your own yard matters a lot.
Start with standing water
Mosquito larvae need only a small amount of standing water to develop. Once a week during warm months, check and dump:
- Buckets, flowerpot saucers, toys, wheelbarrows, and tarps.
- Clogged gutters and downspout extensions.
- Birdbaths and pet water bowls (refresh them often).
- Tires, grill covers, and boat covers.
- Low spots in the yard that hold water after rain.
What a professional program usually includes
- Inspection of the property for breeding sites and resting areas.
- Barrier treatments applied to shrubs, the undersides of leaves, and shaded areas where adult mosquitoes rest during the day.
- Larval control for water that can't be drained, such as ornamental ponds, using products labeled for that purpose.
- Recurring visits, often every few weeks through the warm season.
Ask about pollinators and neighbors
Barrier treatments can affect beneficial insects too. Ask the company how they protect pollinators, for example by avoiding blooming plants, and whether they adjust applications near vegetable gardens, ponds, or beehives. If your property borders a creek or lake, ask what to realistically expect, since mosquitoes can fly in from nearby breeding sites.
Protecting yourself
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent and follow the label.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are active.
- Keep window and door screens in good repair.
- Use fans on porches and decks, since mosquitoes are weak fliers.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are your technicians licensed or certified for this type of work in Tennessee?
- How often will you treat, and what happens if it rains right after a visit?
- How do you handle flowering plants and nearby water?
- Can I pause or cancel the seasonal plan?
Want your yard back? Request a pest control company and choose "Planning / getting quotes."
Frequently asked questions
When is mosquito season in Middle Tennessee?
Mosquitoes are generally active from spring into fall, with the heaviest activity during the hot, humid summer months. Activity tapers off as temperatures drop.
Will mosquito treatments harm bees?
Barrier treatments can affect beneficial insects. Ask the company how it protects pollinators, such as avoiding flowering plants and adjusting applications near gardens and beehives.
Why do I still get bitten after a treatment?
Mosquitoes can fly in from neighboring properties, creeks, and wooded areas, and rain can affect how long treatments last. Removing standing water on your own property each week helps a treatment program work better.