Mosquitoes are annoying, irritating, and, as it turns out, the most deadly animal in the world.
According to the World Mosquito Project, these little bloodsuckers are responsible for over one million human deaths per year. That's more than lions, tigers, and hippos combined!
If you have a high number of mosquitoes living in your yard, one option you may consider is applying a mosquito yard spray.
While these products can be effective, there are quite a few of them on the market to choose from. And the effectiveness of each and how toxic they are to you and your pets can vary greatly.
To help you find the best mosquito yard spray for your specific situation, we've scoured the market for the most effective and easy-to-apply sprays in both the chemical and natural realms. Below, we've got eight of the safest and most effective choices available, plus some frequently asked questions to help you get started.
Disclosure:It is important you understand that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. All opinions are our own we pride ourselves on keeping our articles fair and balanced. For more info see our disclosure statement.Mosquito Yard Spray Summary Table
What We Look for in Mosquito Sprays
To determine which products qualify as the best mosquito yard sprays, we looked at several factors that determine their effectiveness, ease of use, and safety.
Coverage
Coverage is an important factor to consider, especially if you are working on a budget or have an exceptionally large yard to spray. We looked at sprays with extended coverage as well as some less-expensive options made for more precise applications.
Active Ingredients
There are a wide array of pesticide ingredients that are used in mosquito sprays. The effectiveness and toxicity of each can vary greatly.
- Pyrethrin - This chemical pesticide comes in many forms, but all kill insects in a similar way. Pyrethrin is derived from chrysanthemums and is considered mildly toxic to humans and mammals. It can irritate the skin and respiratory system.
- Permethrin - This chemical is the synthetic version of pyrethrin and works in a very similar way. Permethrin is less potent than the natural chemical it is made to emulate but can still be deadly to mosquitoes when used at a high enough concentration. It is considered less toxic to humans but should still be handled with caution.
- Essential Oils - Natural mosquito sprays typically contain a mix of essential oils which are derived from plants. Citronella, peppermint, citrus, lemongrass, and cedar are all commonly found in natural yard sprays. These products are much less toxic to pets and people but are also less effective than chemical options.
We selected the most effective products in each of the above categories so you could choose the best option for your yard.
Delivery Method
Simple yard sprays are easy to apply using a hose sprayer or compression sprayer. But these types are only suitable for smaller areas or precise applications.
For larger yards, you'll want a spray that is compatible with a fogger machine. These machines come in gas or electric types and various sizes for personal or commercial applications. Gas types use heat to aerosolize the pesticide, while electric types use mechanical mechanisms to produce tiny particles.
Both create a fog cloud of pesticide that rises to cover a large area before settling onto vegetation where the mosquitoes roost. Some easy-to-use fogger products come in aerosol cans that work like foggers but with limited coverage.
An Important Note About the Impact of Mosquito Yard Sprays
Before we get into the best mosquito yard sprays, it is important to understand the impacts these products can have on the animal and insect life in your yard.
There is no product-natural or chemical-that targets only mosquitoes. These pesticides can kill many different types of insects, amphibians, fish, and reptiles indiscriminately. That is a good thing if your yard is also infested with fleas, but a terrible thing for your pollinators, spiders, and other friendly creatures.
As the numbers of pollinators drop worldwide, it is as important as ever to do what you can to limit the impact your mosquito spray has on these insects. Here are a few things you can do to reduce how many bees you kill when using a pesticide yard spray:
- Spray at dusk. Bees are not active at night and are less likely to be directly affected by the pesticide if you spray after the sun goes down.
- Spray the ground directly. Mosquitoes roost on the ground and in foliage. On the other hand, Bees tend to spend most of their day flying or walking around on flowers. By using a direct spray instead of a fogger and spraying the ground and low foliage only, you can avoid the areas they are typically found.
- Avoid flower beds and flowering shrubs. Even if you spray at night, the pesticide will remain on plants for days to come. Bees trying to pollinate sprayed plants can bring that toxin back to the hive, killing the entire colony. So you mustn't spray flowers. If using a fogger, you should cover your flower beds with plastic and remove it only after all the particulates have settled.
- Warn local beekeepers. If any of your neighbors raise bees, it is your responsibility to tell them before you spray. They will likely want to lock their bees in the hive while you spray to avoid unnecessary die-off.
- Never spray near creeks, runoffs, or drainage ditches. This tip is less about bees and more about protecting fish and amphibians highly susceptible to these toxins. If pesticides get into waterways, they can cause immense damage to local ecosystems.
- Choose a pollinator-friendly alternative. Some all-natural mosquito sprays are rated as safe or less dangerous to pollinators. Using one of these instead of a chemical pesticide can reduce the damage that spraying your yard will do.
While it is possible to lessen the impact your mosquito spray has on other insects, you will always end up killing more bugs than you intend to.
But there are other effective ways for controlling mosquitoes that don't cause as much harm to the surrounding environment. These include options such as:
Mosquito Yard Spray Reviews
SkeeterMace is a powerful mosquito repellent and killer made of all-natural essential oils. You can use it in the backyard, on the playset, or in the barn.
This formula contains five effective essential oils, including cinnamon, cedarwood, and lemongrass, to kill mosquitoes on contact and repel others from setting up shop. These oils make up an impressive 9% of the total ready-to-use formula, which speaks to its potency.
While tough on insects, this product is non-toxic to humans. It is also safe for animals. However, clove oil is known to cause issues in canines. So, it is best to leave Fido inside during application just to be safe. As long as your dog isn't likely to lick the liquid off the plants, it should be safe for them to play outside once the formula has had time to dry.
One of the best things about this product is that it's available in many forms. You can buy the ready-to-use spray bottle or spray pack or opt for the concentrated formulas. The concentrated forms are ready to apply via any compression sprayer after mixing with water.
The smallest bottle of ready-to-useliquid will cover 1,500 square feet, while the largest bucket of concentrate will cover over 784,000 square feet. The product will last up to 2 weeks after application, depending on rainfall.
This is an effective, all-natural spray that is perfect for jobs both big and small. It is safe for use around the family, but care should still be taken to protect friendly bugs from coming in contact with the spray. It will kill all types of insects, including fleas, ticks, flies, and even scorpions.
Eco Defense is another great option if you are interested in an effective, all-natural product.
This product also relies on powerful essential oils to kill and repel mosquitoes. The formula contains four oils: c edarwood, cinnamon, clove, and lemongrass. These essential oils make up about 3.1% of the total ingredients, making this mosquito spray less potent than our top choice but still fairly effective.
As with other essential-oil-based sprays, this one is safe and non-toxic to humans. It does contain clove, so some caution should be taken when using around dogs, but it is very safe for pets once dried.
Our favorite thing about this product is how easy it is to apply. Simply hook the bottle up to your hose and spray your yard, patio, and foliage. One 32 ounce bottle will cover about 5,000 square feet.
The bottle recommends frequent application in the beginning. After the pest problem has been controlled, you can stretch out the applications out to once every 30 to 45 days. But you may need to reapply in between if your yard gets drenched by heavy rain.
As with similar natural products, Eco Defense will kill a variety of insects indiscriminately. It is advertised for eradicating ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes but is also deadly to pollinators. For this reason, care should always be taken when applying.
For serious mosquito problems that need to be dealt with ASAP, Syngenta Demand CS is a great choice.
This product is highly toxic to insects and kills on contact even weeks after application. The main ingredient is lambda-cyhalothrin, a type of pyrethrin. It is present in the concentrate at 9.7%, making this quite the powerful insecticide.
Like all pyrethrin products, you should take some precautions while applying this chemical. It is recommended to wear a facemask and protective clothing t o avoid breathing it in or getting it on your skin. Do not let pets, children, or family play in the yard until the product has had plenty of time to dry.
You can apply this mosquito yard spray in multiple ways. For mosquito control, the label recommends diluting the product with water at a rate of 0.2 to 0.4 fluid ounces per 1 gallon. You can apply using a spray bottle, compression sprayer, or hose.
One 8oz bottle provides coverage for up to 40,000 square feet. The product is long-lasting once dried and only needs to be reapplied about once every 90 days.
Chemical insecticides are deadly to many insects, amphibians, fish, and reptiles, so extreme care should be taken when using Demand CS. Never apply near storm drains or waterways and avoid spraying flowers and food crops.
When applied responsibly, this makes for an incredibly effective product for killing mosquitoes in your yard and preventing them from reestablishing.
Mosquitoes aren't fun to deal with, but they can be especially deadly for dogs. These bloodsuckers carry heartworm, which can cause serious health problems and even death in dogs. Vet's Best Yard Spray was made specifically for protecting you and your furry friend from mosquitoes.
This all-natural formula contains two powerful essential oils: peppermint and eugenol (clove). These active ingredients make up 2% of the ready-to-use formula. This product is less potent than others we've featured, but it is also less likely to irritate your pets.
While this product is made specifically to be pet-safe, it does contain clove oil, which is known to be toxic to dogs when ingested. To be safe, be sure the product is completely dry before you allow your dog in the area.
Applying Vet's Best is simple; just attach the bottle to your hose and begin spraying. You can use it directly to kennels, concrete runs, pea gravel, lawn, and foliage. One 32oz bottle will cover about 5,000 square feet.
You will need to reapply this product frequently, about every two weeks, until the mosquitoes are under control. It's not waterproof, so be sure to reapply after heavy rains, as well.
Overall, this product is not as potent as others we looked at, but it is effective over the long term and is very safe for use around pets. Like other natural products, it can kill pollinators and friendly bugs if sprayed directly on them. It can also contaminate water sources.
Insecticide foggers are an easy way to cover large areas without having to walk your entire yard, but they are difficult to use and require a lot of extra work to set up. Cutter Outdoor Fogger combines the simplicity of a ready-to-use direct spray product with the efficiency of a fogger.
The aerosolized cans produce a fine cloud of insecticide that disperses to cover the surrounding area. That means less walking for you and more dead mosquitoes-it will even kill bugs flying in the air.
The active ingredients in this product are tetramethrin and phenothrin, two types of permethrin. The total concentration of these makes up only 0.4% of the bottle. This low amount is typical of handheld fogging products but is still effective in most situations.
As with all pesticides, some care should be taken when using Cutter Outdoor Fogger. It is best to wear a mask when spraying this pesticide, even though it is less potent than others. And be sure no kids, pets, or other adults enter the area until the aerosol has completely dissipated.
To use this spray, simply shake the bottle vigorously and then spray it into the air. It has a very limited coverage area, and one can is only enough to defend a large patio or outdoor living area. If you are hoping to use the product as a full yard spray, you will need multiple bottles.
When this product functions, it works quite well for keeping bugs away during backyard barbecues and get-togethers. Unfortunately, many users report defective caps that create a stream-spray rather than a fine fog.
For those struggling with the idea of using a mosquito spray due to the potential deadly ramifications to other insects and animals, Wondercide is here to save the day.
This all-natural mosquito spray uses very different ingredients from your typical all-natural spray. It contains 40% cedarwood oil. This essential oil is known to cause pheromone processing problems in certain insects, including fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
This highly potent product is effective against these and a handful of other insects but appears to have no negative effects on pollinators like bees and butterflies. It is also very safe for pets and people.
Wondercide comes in concentrates that you can mix with water and apply in any kind of spraying device. When used at an average concentration, a 32-ounce bottle will cover about 20,000 square feet.
Like other natural products, this one recommends frequent applications upfront. For standard maintenance, you only need to reapply every 34 to 45 days.
For a natural, safe alternative to indiscriminate yard sprays, you won't find anything better than Wondercide.
Sometimes it is nice to have options when it comes to how to treat your yard for mosquitoes. Mosquito Magician gives you the option to hose spray, dilute and spray, or use a fogger to apply their product.
This versatile, highly effective, all-natural product contains a mix of six essential oils, including lemongrass, cedarwood, citronella, and garlic. This mix makes up 13.32% of the concentrate. Not only are the essential oils contained in this product very effective against mosquitoes, but they are less likely to harm pollinators.
If caught in the stream or fog of the product, bees are likely to die. They are much less likely to be affected by this product after it has dried than by other sprays. Mosquito Magician is also very safe for pets and family.
One gallon of this concentrate covers up to 128,000 square feet. You can use it with a programmable hose sprayer, diluted at 5 oz per gallon of water and direct-sprayed, or use it in a fogger. In either case, you will need to purchase the applicator separately.
This great, all-natural product has been lab-tested and proven to be effective against 98% of mosquitoes. However, you will need to reapply more frequently, at a rate of about once every 1 to 2 weeks. But it is well worth the buy to keep your yard safe for bees and your family.
Another great option if you are looking for something that you can apply via various methods is EcoGuard Plus.
This all-natural mosquito killer and repellent uses a unique formula that is deadly to ticks and mosquitoes but less harmful to beneficial pollinators. The main ingredient is cedarwood oil. The formula also includes 2-phenethyl propionate, a phenol alcohol ester that is most commonly extracted from peanut plants.
Together with geraniol, a molecule found in many essential oils, these plant ingredients make up an impressive 65.6% of the ingredients in this concentrate. This is a highly potent formula that utilizes the most effective parts of essential oils to kill mosquitoes on contact and keep them away from your yard for weeks at a time.
All ingredients are safe for pets and people. There is no drying time required before the family or dog can use the yard again.
You can apply the EcoGuard Plus via a compression sprayer, a mister, or a hose-end sprayer. In all cases, the product is used in the dilute form, which extends the use of this 8oz bottle considerably-up to 40,000 square feet.
The company recommends two treatments within ten days of each other upfront, followed by once-monthly treatments throughout the summer.
This product appears to have a cumulative effect in areas with high-density mosquito populations. It may take a few applications to show a real effect, but it's worth waiting since it is safe and super easy to apply.
Mosquito Yard Spray Comparison Table
The Wrap Up
Mosquitoes can be a deadly problem for humans and pets, but finding a deadly solution for them is harder than you might imagine. Mosquito yard sprays are one option that tends to work well, but many products come with their own risks.
For those who want the effectiveness without the added safety risks to their family, we recommend NaturesMace SkeeterMace Insect Control Spray. This all-natural spray is safe for kids and pets and comes in various, concentrations and product sizes to fit every need.
Equally worried about protecting the beneficial insects and animals living in your yard but still in need of something effective for eradicating mosquitoes? Wondercide Mosquito Spray is your best option. This cedarwood-oil-based spray is deadly for mosquitoes and many non-beneficial bugs but harmless to pollinators, humans, and animals.
Mosquito Yard Spray FAQ
Will mosquito sprays kill other pests like ticks or fleas?
Yes, most mosquito yard sprays are effective against fleas and ticks as well as many other insects.
Because there is no pesticide that affects mosquitoes only, you can assume most sprays will also be harmful to a wide variety of pests. However, some products may be more effective than others for this purpose. If you have a tick or flea problem, be sure to pick up a product labeled to eradicate fleas and ticks, and mosquitoes.
When is the best time of day to spray the yard for mosquitoes?
The best time of day to spray for mosquitoes will depend on the method of application you are using.
Foggers, which are highly effective against mosquitoes in the air, are best used at dusk when the bugs are most active. Spraying after the sun goes down will also help protect daytime pollinators from accidental contact with the poisonous spray.
Direct spray applications are better done during the day when mosquitoes are most likely to be roosting on foliage and in your lawn. Be sure to only spray during calm, mild weather when rain is not predicted in the forecast. Avoid spraying flowers and flowering shrubs frequented by pollinators.
Are mosquito yard sprays safe around my pets and children?
Most all-natural mosquito yard sprays are safe for kids and pets, but almost all chemical products require waiting periods before your yard is safe to use again. Even if an all-natural product says it is safe for pets, it is best to wait for the product to dry before giving them access to the area, especially if the spray contains clove oil.