Controlling Mosquitoes at Home

illustration of a woman pouring water from a bucket

Control mosquitoes outside your home

Remove standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs

Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Use larvicides to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.

Kill mosquitoes outside your home

Use an outdoor insect spray made to kill mosquitoes in areas where they rest.
Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture, or under the carport or garage. When using insecticides, always follow label instructions.

illustration of a mosquito that has been crossed out with a red mark

Control mosquitoes inside your home

Keep mosquitoes out

Install or repair and use window and door screens. Do not leave doors propped open.
Use air conditioning when possible.

Remove standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs

Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like vases and flowerpot saucers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.

Kill mosquitoes inside your home

Kill mosquitoes inside your home. Use an indoor insect fogger* or indoor insect spray* to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest. These products work immediately, and may need to be reapplied. When using insecticides, always follow label directions. Only using insecticide will not keep your home free of mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid places like under the sink, in closets, under furniture, or in the laundry room.

Product	Active ingredient	Brand name examples**	How long it works
Indoor insect spray	Imidacloprid, β-Cyfluthrin	Home Pest Instect Killer, Raid Ortho, HotShot, EcoLogic	7-10 days
Indoor insect spray	Tetramethrin, Cypermethrin	HotShot, Raid, Real Kil, Spectracide	Up to 6 weeks

**Insecticide brand names are provided for your information only. CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cannot recommend or endorse any name brand products.