13 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes from the Yard, Garden & Home

Mosquitoes are not just annoying, but they can also be deadly. These tiny blood-sucking insects can carry deadly diseases like dengue and malaria that cause thousands of deaths each year. Mosquito bites can also cause rashes and hives on both humans and pets.

While it is relatively easy to keep mosquitoes out of your home, it can often be a challenge to eliminate them from your yard. So, here are some of the natural ways you can use to get rid of mosquitoes from your yard. 

How To Get Rid of Mosquitoes from Yard Naturally?

Below are13 effective natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes. These methods include homemade spray, homemade mixture and several other natural and homemade remedies to repel mosquitos naturally.

1. Bti to Kill Mosquitoes

Bti to Kill Mosquitoes

Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis) is a soil bacteria that releases a spore that can kill many insects including mosquito larvae.

The bacteria are completely harmless to humans and pets, but it works effectively against mosquito larvae in water bodies.

This method targets the mosquitoes in their larvae stage, so it’s very effective.

Once you use this method, the mosquito population will reduce significantly within a week.

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • Identify any areas with standing water in your garden. These areas are usually infested with mosquito larvae. 
  • For every 25 square feet of standing water, you must use 1 teaspoon of Bti bits. For smaller areas, you can use a few chunks. 
  • The mosquito larvae will die within a day. Once the adult mosquitoes die, there will be no new mosquitoes for at least 2 weeks. 
  • You should re-apply the Bti bits after 14 days to get rid of the next cycle of mosquitoes. 

Precautions:

The bits will be effective for 14 days, after which you must re-apply for effective mosquito control. 

2. Homemade Mineral oil spray to Deter Mosquitoes

Homemade Mineral oil spray to Deter Mosquitoes

Mineral oil spray is a great way to get rid of mosquito larvae from any pond and pool on your property.

When you spray mineral oil in your ponds and pools, it will create a layer on top of the water.

The layer of oil will suffocate any mosquito larvae inside the water body, and it will also prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • In a garden, spraying can add a gallon of water with 1/4th teaspoon of mineral oil. 
  • Stir and mix the oil into the water thoroughly before spraying it. 
  • Spray it directly over your pond, pool, or any other water body. You can also spray it in your drains or any other areas that have standing water. 
  • The oil will create a film on the standing water, which will suffocate the mosquito larvae, and prevent mosquitoes from laying any more eggs in those areas. 

Precautions:

Do not use this method if there are fish in your pond, because they will be affected by the oil as well. 

3. Spinosad as Mosquito Repellent

Spinosad as Mosquito Repellent

Spinosad is a chemical created by soil bacteria, which is toxic to a number of insects including mosquito larvae.

You can easily kill mosquitoes and their larvae in your garden using this chemical without causing any harm to your plants.

It is a highly effective method for controlling the mosquito population in gardens and water bodies. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • For every gallon of water, add 2 ounces of spinosad concentrate in a garden spraying can. 
  • Mix the water and spinosad thoroughly before using the spray in your garden. 
  • Spray the mixture directly on any areas with mosquitoes in your garden. 
  • Spray it on any puddles, wet areas, and drains as well. The spinosad will kill any mosquito larvae in those wet areas. 
  • You can also spray the mixture in any pools and ponds on your property to get rid of mosquito larvae from them. 

Precautions:

Spinosad can be slightly toxic to fish, so don’t use it in any fish pond. 

4. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a common kitchen ingredient that is also used for getting rid of various insects including mosquitoes.

Apple cider vinegar has a strong smell, which can easily repel mosquitoes from your home and yard.

It can also help kill mosquito larvae from standing water.

You can easily make an apple cider vinegar spray at home to use in your garden and home. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • In a spray bottle, add ½ cup of apple cider vinegar with 1/4th cup of water and 1/4th cup of isopropyl alcohol. 
  • Close the bottle and shake it well to mix everything together. 
  • Spray the mixture around your yard, concentrating it in the areas with the most mosquitoes. 
  • You can also spray this mixture inside your home to keep the mosquitoes out. 
  • You can re-apply the spray every 2 to 3 days again. 

Precautions:

You must re-apply the spray after you water your plants and after a rain. 

5. Natural spray for mosquitos using Neem oil

Natural spray for mosquitos using Neem oil

Neem oil is an organic pesticide that is used for killing various insects including mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes can taste with their feet so when they land on a surface covered with neem oil, they will get an extremely bitter taste.

This will help repel them away. Additionally, any mosquito that comes in contact with neem oil will die within a few days, since it’s toxic to them.

Required Items:

  • Neem oil
  • Dish soap 
  • Water 
  • Spraying can 

Step by Step Process:

  • Fill a spray can with a gallon of water. Add 1 tablespoon of neem oil and 1 teaspoon of dish soap to the water. 
  • Mix the contents of the spray thoroughly before using it. 
  • Spray the mixture all over your garden, concentrating them in the areas with the most mosquitoes. 
  • You can also spray this mixture on any area with standing water. Any mosquito larvae in the water will also die. 
  • Repeat the process every week to keep the mosquitoes out. 

Precautions:

Neem oil can also kill beneficial insects like bees, so don’t overuse this method. 

6. Lemongrass Spray as Natural Mosquito Repellent

Lemongrass Spray as Natural Mosquito Repellent

Lemongrass has a strong smell which is disliked by mosquitoes.

So, a lemongrass spray is an effective way to get rid of mosquitoes from your yard.

You can easily make a lemongrass spray at home to repel mosquitoes from your home and your yard. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • In a spray bottle, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol. 
  • Put 20 to 25 drops of lemongrass essential oil in the mixture. Close the bottle and shake it well to mix everything together. 
  • Spray the mixture directly on your plants, and around the garden. Concentrate the spray on shaded areas, since they are usually affected by mosquitoes. 
  • You can also spray this mixture inside your house and on any outdoor furniture. 
  • Repeat the spraying process every 3 to 4 days to keep the mosquitoes out of your yard.

Precautions:

This method will only work for a few days, so you must start using some preventative method to get rid of mosquitoes from your yard permanently. 

7. Peppermint spray to Kill Mosquitoes naturally

Peppermint spray to Kill Mosquitoes naturally

Peppermint oil can repel and kill a number of insects including mosquitoes.

Any mosquito that comes in contact with the oil will be irritated by it, so they will fly away.

The oil also has a strong smell, which helps keep the mosquitoes out of your home.

You can easily make a peppermint oil spray at home to use in our yard and house. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • In a garden, spraying can add 1 gallon of water with 2 teaspoons of peppermint oil. Add ½ teaspoon of dish soap into the mixture. 
  • Close the can and mix everything together thoroughly. 
  • Spray the mixture directly on your plants and around the garden. You can also spray it on your lawn. 
  • The strong smell of peppermint will keep the mosquitoes away for a few days. 
  • You must re-apply the spray after 2 to 3 days. 

Precautions:

The spray is only effective for two to three days, so you must use a preventative method for permanent mosquito control. 

8. Citronella Spray

Citronella Spray

Citronella is one of the most common mosquito repellents on the market.

The strong smell of citronella is very effective at keeping mosquitoes away from your home and yard.

You can easily make a citronella spray at home to use in your house and garden. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol to a spray bottle. 
  • Put 20 drops of citronella oil into the mixture. Close the spray bottle and shake it well to mix everything together. 
  • Spray the mixture around your garden, focussing on the areas with the most mosquitoes. 
  • You can also spray the mixture on any outdoor furniture to keep mosquitoes away from you when you sit outside.

Precautions:

The spray will only repel mosquitoes for 2 to 3 days, so you must reapply the spray again for repelling mosquitoes. 

9. Essential Oil candles as Mosquito Repellents

Essential Oil candles as Mosquito Repellents

Similar to essential oil sprays, scented candles are also effective at getting rid of mosquitoes from your yard.

The strong smell from the candles will keep the mosquitoes away from their vicinity.

Essential oil candles are easily available in the market, but you can also make your own if you want to.

You can use this method to get rid of mosquitoes both indoors and outdoor. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • Put 1 cup of soy wax (for each candle) into a bowl and microwave it for 20 seconds. Stir the mixture and microwave it for 20 more seconds. Continue the process until the wax melts completely. 
  • Put 5 drops each of citronella, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass oils into the wax and mix thoroughly. 
  • Stick the candlewick inside the glass or metal container. 
  • Pour the melted wax and oil mixture into the container. Let it harden for 4 to 5 hours. 
  • Light the candle outside, in your yard to get rid of the mosquitoes temporarily. 

Precautions:

Once you blow out the candles, the mosquitoes will eventually return, so you must use prevention methods to get rid of them in the long run. 

10. Repel Mosquitoes using Pinion Wood

Repel Mosquitoes using Pinion Wood

Pinion wood is a type of pinewood that releases a strong pine scent when burnt.

This wood is commonly used in fireplaces inside the home to repel mosquitoes.

However, if you have a firepit outside, you can use this wood to get rid of mosquitoes outside as well.

When you burn this wood, the mosquitoes will be repelled by the earthy pine smoke. 

Required Items:

  • Pinion Wood 
  • Firewood

Step by Step Process:

  • Start the fire outside in your firepit using regular firewood. 
  • Once the fire starts, you can start adding pinion wood to it. The strong pine smell will start to release immediately. 
  • The smoke from the pinion wood will drive out all the mosquitoes in your yard. 
  • The effect will last a few hours after the wood stops burning. 

Precautions:

This method will keep mosquitoes away for only a few hours, after which they will return again. So, you must use prevention methods to get rid of them permanently. 

11. Camphor

Camphor

Camphor is an aromatic substance derived from a plant. When burnt, camphor releases a strong smell that can repel mosquitoes from your home.

If you have a fire pit, you can throw a few camphor blocks into it to create a mosquito-repelling smoke.

If you don’t have a fire pit, you can leave the camphor in some water for similar effects. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • If you light a fire outside in your firepit, you can throw a few blocks of camphor into it. The camphor will release a strong smell upon burning, which will repel mosquitoes in your yard. 
  • Alternatively, you can put a block of camphor on a stainless steel plate and light it on fire. 
  • Leave the burning camphor in an area that has a lot of mosquitoes. 
  • You can use multiple blocks around the garden for the best results. 

Precautions:

This method is only effective for small areas. For bigger areas, you need to use better methods.

12. Mosquito trap to Deter Mosquitoes Naturally

Mosquito trap to Deter Mosquitoes Naturally

Mosquitoes are pretty hard to catch using a trap since they are not attracted to any particular smell or food.

However, they are attracted to blue light, so it can be used to make a mosquito trap.

Commercial mosquito traps use a fan to trap the mosquitoes, so they are very efficient. You can use these traps both inside and outside. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • Mosquitoes are most active during the evening, so it’s best to lay these traps at dusk. 
  • Switch on the mosquito trap and leave it in a dark area outside your home. The mosquitoes will rush towards the trap and become trapped. 
  • You can also use the trap inside your home. 
  • Empty the dead mosquitoes from the trap after a day or so. 

Precautions:

The trap will catch mosquitoes, but it cannot get rid of them completely. You must use prevention methods to get rid of mosquitoes in the long run. 

13. Homemade Yeast Trap to Repel Mosquitoes

Homemade Yeast Trap to Repel Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide released from our skin.

When you mix active yeast with a sugar solution, it will start producing carbon dioxide, which mimics our skin.

Therefore, this is an effective bait for trapping mosquitoes. The trap usually works best indoors, but it can also work outdoor if the area is relatively small. 

Required Items:

Step by Step Process:

  • Boil 2 cups of water and add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar into it. Stir the mixture to dissolve all the sugar in the water. 
  • Cut the empty soda bottle in half and pour the sugar-water mixture into the bottom part of the bottle. 
  • Once the mixture cools down to around 100 degrees F, add 1 teaspoon of active yeast powder to it.
  • After removing the cap from the soda bottle, invert the top portion and place it inside the bottom. 
  • Now you can place this trap in an area of your yard with a lot of mosquitoes. It’s best to use the trap during dusk. 
  • In the morning, you will find a lot of mosquitoes trapped in the bottle. If you want to re-use the trap, you can pour out the liquid and fill it again with sugar water, and yeast. 

Precautions:

This method will only work in the summer since yeast cannot activate in cold weather. Also, you should stay inside after laying the trap. This will prevent the mosquitoes from being distracted by your smell. 

Natural Ways to Prevent Mosquitos in The Yard, Garden and Home

Below listed are effective natural methods to keep mosquitoes away from your yard, or garden. These methods will also help you to control mosquitoes naturally.

1. Remove standing water

Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, and the larvae only need a little bit of water to survive. So, even small puddles can easily become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So, you must drain any standing water from your garden to effectively stop mosquitoes.

Remove any containers, bottles, etc. that can collect water as well. If you cannot remove a water source like a pool or pond, make sure to cover it with a pool cover to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs inside. 

2. Declutter your yard

Mosquitoes like to live in dark shaded areas like sheds and bushes. So, if your garden is cluttered, it can easily become filled with mosquitos. Removing any clutter and extra vegetation from your yard can reduce the number of mosquitoes significantly.

Trim the overgrown bushes and remove any unnecessary plants. It’s also a good idea to remove any junk you may have in your garden since it can easily catch rainwater and become a mosquito breeding ground. 

3. Install drainage in your garden

If you water your garden regularly, it can often create puddles, which are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Installing proper drainage systems in your garden can reduce the chances of waterlogging, thus preventing mosquitoes from breeding in your yard. 

4. Plant mosquito-repellent plants

Most mosquito repellents come from natural plants such as citronella, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, marigold, etc. because these plants have a strong smell.

Planting them in the garden directly can also be an effective way to prevent mosquitoes. The strong smell of the plants will repel the mosquitoes from your garden. 

5. Introduce larvae-eating fish into your pond

If you have a pond or water body on your property, it can be hard to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in them. However, you can introduce larvae-eating fish into your pond to control the mosquito population.

Goldfish, Guppy, and Koi carp are some of the best larvae-eating fishes to release in your pond. Once you release them, they will start feeding on the mosquito larvae, which will help prevent them in the long run. 

6. Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are great for preventing mosquitoes in your yard because they can absorb any standing water. You can put some coffee grounds in your garden around the areas that usually collect water.

So, when there is rain, the coffee grounds will absorb the water and prevent standing water, which will prevent mosquitoes from breeding in those areas. The smell of coffee will also keep them away from those spots. 

7. Cedar mulch

If your garden does not have a lot of vegetation, you can prevent mosquitoes by using mulch. Cedar mulch has a strong smell, which is hated by mosquitos.

So, when you cover your yard with a layer of cedar mulch, it will prevent standing water and repel adult mosquitoes. It will also reduce weeds in your garden, so there won’t be enough shade for mosquitoes to live in. 

Final Words:

Mosquitoes breed very fast, as one female mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs in a day. That is why it’s very important to treat each stage of the mosquito life cycle to effectively get rid of them from your yard.

Unfortunately, overuse of chemical repellents can make the mosquitoes immune to the chemical, so it’s always best to use natural alternatives. The natural methods mentioned in this article will help you get rid of mosquitoes and their larvae from your yard effectively.