What do professional mosquito companies use to get rid of mosquitoes?

Unless otherwise specified, professional pest control companies eliminate mosquitoes using pyrethrins derived from chrysanthemums or the synthetic version of the same, called pyrethroids. Both of these chemicals have several subcategories, but all are designated as insecticides effective against numerous insect species.

How long do professional mosquito treatments last?

Professional mosquito treatments typically last around one month, and several treatments are often scheduled throughout the season to maintain control.

Does rain wash away mosquito treatments?

Mosquito treatment sprays are typically oil-based and dry shortly after spraying. Rain won’t wash away the oils once they’ve dried, and it won’t detract from their effectiveness.

How often should I treat my yard for mosquitoes?

If you’re aiming to have a mosquito-free yard for the entire season, treatment needs to happen every three to five weeks, depending on the mosquito population and the abundance of breeding grounds present in the surrounding area. For event-only mosquito eradication, allow a couple of days between the treatment and the event.

Is it better to fog or spray for mosquitoes?

Fogging for mosquitoes is excellent for short-term mosquito eradication. Spraying isn’t as fast-acting, but it allows the chemicals to stick around for a while and control the pests for longer. Fogging is best if you need immediate eradication, and spraying is best for long-term control.

What is the cheapest way to get rid of mosquitoes?

The cheapest and most environmentally friendly way to get rid of mosquitoes is to remove their breeding habitats by eliminating standing water, cleaning dirty rain gutters, and drying out damp areas in and around the home.

Best Mosquito Control Companies of 2023

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Unless you make a living studying or exterminating insects, you’re unlikely to ever utter the phrase, “Oh good, the mosquitoes have arrived!” Abundant the world over, mosquitoes are pervasive and unwelcome backyard guests. Almost no matter where you live, they’re happy to invite themselves to any event and to stick around to ruin the after-party as well.

But mosquito control companies can help. The best are experts on the habits and life cycle of these pesky insects and have developed systems to rid your yard of the pests and keep their population under control, leaving you to enjoy your outdoor space in peace. The best companies may also offer a host of other services to keep your home and yard pest free, so you can limit your guests to those you actually invited. To that end, we’ve put together a list of the best mosquito control services to help you decide which is best for your needs.

Disclaimer About Mosquito Control Companies

Controlling mosquitoes and other pests typically involves using natural or synthetic insecticides that don’t distinguish between species. Even so-called natural insecticides are often not as benign as they may sound and can be harmful when misused. Insect eradication and control can be detrimental to other animal species, by removing or poisoning potential food sources, and can directly or indirectly harm nearby plant life.

Pete Bouley, the owner of Piedpiper Pest Control in Annandale, Minnesota, said the following about the use of mosquito treatment chemicals: “Mosquito control, no matter the method used, will always have some impact on the environment…Some [products] claim to be all-natural, such as citronella oils. However, when applied to the treatment areas, which are the undersides of leafy vegetation, shrubbery, and tall grass areas, the oils close up the breathing cells and can damage the living vegetation.” Before booking a mosquito control service, ask the representative to explain the company's methods to you in detail.

Best Mosquito Control Companies of 2023

Best Overall: Orkin
Most Specialized: Mosquito Joe
Best Customer Service: Mosquito Squad
Best Service Plan: Ehrlich
Most Economical: Viking Pest Control
Best Additional Home Services: Arrow Exterminators

Best Overall: Orkin

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 47 states
Free Inspection? No
Will Also Treat: Ants, bats, bedbugs, cockroaches, crickets, flies, termites, and more

Pros & Cons

Pros

In business for over 120 years
Provides extensive technician training
Widely available across 47 states

Cons

No free inspections
Priced higher than competitor companies

Why It Made the List

According to the American Mosquito Control Association, the average mosquito lifespan is just two to three weeks. Orkin pest control technicians undergo 160 hours of specialized training, meaning their extensive education can take nearly half of a mosquito’s lifetime to complete. That training, combined with 47-state availability and excellent customer reviews, makes Orkin our choice for the best mosquito control company.

Orkin operates more than 400 franchise locations to serve both residential and commercial customers in every state save Alaska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The company was founded in 1901 and enjoys top rating spots on several consumer review platforms. In addition to mosquito control, Orkin can provide comprehensive pest control services for whatever your home or business needs.

Although free inspections aren’t available and Orkin’s services may not be your cheapest option, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with any of its home-tailored services.

Most Specialized: Mosquito Joe

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 39 states
Free Inspection? No
Will Also Treat: Chiggers, fleas, flies, gnats, mites, ticks

Pros & Cons

Pros

Specializes in outdoor pest control
Excellent overall consumer satisfaction ratings
Provides free inspections

Cons

Doesn't offer indoor pest control options
Free inspections only available through satellite imaging

Why It Made the List

While several pest control companies offer a free inspection to evaluate your property and develop a plan, many others don’t look at your property at all before your first treatment. Mosquito Joe lands somewhere in the middle, offering virtual inspections by way of satellite imagery. However, that may be enough to develop a plan for eliminating mosquitoes and other outdoor insects, which is the company’s specialty.

As its name suggests, the company deals only with mosquitoes and other outdoor pests, which makes it the best specialty company in our review. Mosquito Joe offers comprehensive control of mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and other tiny pests. This includes initial and breeding site treatments, as well as barrier sprays around your property to eliminate insects before they can reach you.

If you see mosquitoes within 14 days of treatment, the company will send out a technician to respray your property. Mosquito Joe also offers a money-back guarantee if you’re not happy. Services are available from over 200 locations in 39 states.

Best Customer Service: Mosquito Squad

Mosquito Squad

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 36 states
Free Inspection? Yes
Will Also Treat: Ants, aphids, chiggers, fleas, flies, gnats, hornets, mites, spiders, stink bugs, termites, ticks, wasps

Pros & Cons

Pros

Specializes in outdoor pests
Offers 21-day respray guarantee
Single-event spraying available

Cons

Doesn’t provide indoor pest control
Scattered reports of billing problems among consumers

Why It Made the List

Being on time for appointments and backing up promises are crucial elements of customer service, and they’re what make Mosquito Squad our best customer service award winner. Even though the company specializes in controlling outdoor pests and its technicians rarely need to step inside your home, it has received praise for its punctuality. It also promises to return within 21 days after treatment if it was unsuccessful in eliminating pests from your yard.

Many customers report that the company seems happy to make the return trip when necessary, though some reviews temper the excitement with incidents of billing inaccuracies. Mosquito Squad is available in 36 states and offers one-time event treatments if you’re planning to host people—and not mosquitoes—over the weekend. The company also provides free inspections to help evaluate your situation.

Best Service Plan: Ehrlich

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 20 states
Free Inspection? Yes
Will Also Treat: Ants, bedbugs, bees, birds, cockroaches, crickets, fabric pests, fleas, flies, mice, moths, rats, snakes, spiders, stink bugs, ticks, wasps

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers year-round custom pest control services
In business for nearly 100 years
Free inspections and quotes

Cons

Serves only 20 states

Why It Made the List

For nearly 100 years, Ehrlich has been providing pest control services on and near the East Coast. Today, it has over 100 locations in 20 states. With the company’s comprehensive pest control service, PestFree365+, consumers can bundle services for mosquitoes and 35 other pests, which is why we named Ehrlich the mosquito control company with the best service plan.

Ehrlich tailors its treatments to fit individual customer needs and offers a monthly payment plan. The company provides a free inspection and quote before starting service and promises unlimited free returns between scheduled treatments should you find lingering pests. During treatment visits, your technician can offer advice on preventing future infestations.

Most Economical: Viking Pest Control

viking pest control

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 4 states
Free Inspection? Yes
Will Also Treat: Ants, bedbugs, bees, cockroaches, hornets, mice, spiders, and more

Pros & Cons

Pros

Company also offers wildlife control
Often offers discounts and coupons
Employs trained and insurable technicians

Cons

Only available in four states

Why It Made the List

If you happen to live in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, or Pennsylvania, you could find a deal with Viking Pest Control. The company often provides promotional discounts on its website, and existing customers can refer a friend for service discounts as well. Unfortunately, residents of the other 46 states will miss out on the bargains, as Viking only serves the above locations.

Viking not only offers mosquito control but also provides a long list of indoor and outdoor pest control solutions. Its Quality Pro certified and insurable technicians can even remove unwanted wildlife from your property.

Although Viking Pest Control is only available in a very limited number of states, that local focus means it’s qualified to handle pest problems specific to those areas. Another plus is that Viking takes pride in offering custom plans instead of just implementing universal pest control methods.

Best Additional Home Services: Arrow Exterminators

Arrow Exterminators

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Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 12 states
Free Inspection? Yes
Will Also Treat: Ants, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, rodents, termites, and more

Pros & Cons

Pros

Offers additional home services to discourage infestations
Free inspections and evaluations
Offers wildlife control services

Cons

Only available in 12 Southern states
Website lacks important information

Why It Made the List

If you’re in one of the 12 Southern states where Arrow Exterminators does business, there are several reasons you may want to hire the company. Beyond pest and mosquito control, Arrow also offers handyperson services and a program it calls STEPS Total Protection System, which provides services such as moisture control modification and insect breeding habitat elimination to help protect your home and yard from pests.

Arrow Exterminators provides free inspections and home evaluations, including looking at what your home could use in addition to spraying for mosquitoes, such as adding ventilation or clearing gutters. These considerations put Arrow at number one on our list for additional available services.

Prospective customers might encounter some frustration when using Arrow’s website, however. The company touts attributes like environmental friendliness and innovative pest control techniques, but it provides little information regarding these attributes. It also took some effort to find out that the company’s satisfaction guarantee includes free return visits between appointments if necessary.

Final Verdict

Availability, versatility, and a knowledgeable staff are crucial elements for a high-quality pest control service. Orkin is recognizable as a major player in the mosquito control game, with a 120-plus-year history, well-trained technicians, and availability that spans nearly the entire country. Add in the company’s 30-day guarantee, and Orkin beats out the competition in most categories that matter to consumers.

Compare the Best Mosquito Control Companies

Company	Nationwide Availability	Free Inspection?	Will Also Treat	Customer Guarantee
Orkin Best Overall	47 states	No	Ants, bats, bedbugs, beetles, butterflies, carpenter ants, centipedes, cicadas, cockroaches, crickets, dragonflies, earwigs, fleas, flies, lice, locusts, mites, moths, rodents, silverfish, slugs and snails, spiders, stinging pests, stink bugs, termites, ticks, weevils	30-day money-back guarantee on services
Mosquito Joe Most Specialized	39 states	No	Chiggers, fleas, flies, gnats, mites, ticks	14-day re-treatment and money-back guarantee
Mosquito Squad Best Customer Service	36 states	Yes	Ants, aphids, chiggers, fleas, flies, gnats, hornets, mites, spiders, stink bugs, termites, ticks, wasps	21-day re-treatment and money-back guarantee
Ehrlich Best Service Plan	20 states	Yes	Ants, bedbugs, bees, birds, cockroaches, crickets, fabric pests, fleas, flies, mice, moths, rats, snakes, spiders, stink bugs, ticks, wasps	Re-treatment between service appointments
Viking Pest Control Most Economical	4 states	Yes	Ants, bats, bedbugs, bees, beetles, birds, box-elder bugs, centipedes, cicada killers, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas, flies, grain pests, groundhogs, hornets, ladybugs, mice, millipedes, mites, moths, opossums, raccoons, rats, silverfish, skunks, sow bugs, spiders, spotted lantern flies, springtails, squirrels, stink bugs, termites, ticks, voles, wasps, water bugs	Re-treatment between service appointments
Arrow Exterminators Best Additional Home Services	12 states	Yes	Ants, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, fleas, millipedes, rodents, scorpions, silverfish, spiders, stink bugs, termites, ticks, wildlife	Re-treatment between service appointments

Factors to Consider When Hiring a Mosquito Control Company

When you hire a pest control company, you’re looking to get rid of problems and not create new ones. Consider the following factors when choosing the best pest control company to eliminate mosquito issues around your home or business.

Availability

The physical location of your mosquito control company is important for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s important that they actually have a physical location. Cases have occurred in which consumers purchased services from door-to-door salespersons, only to later discover that the company didn’t exist. Secondly, even if the company you hire is real, you may need service between treatment appointments, and a local company will be able to reach you more readily than one that’s far away.

Knowledgeable Staff

Even if the sales representative seems to know everything there is to know about eliminating insects from your garden or yard, the technicians who show up to perform the work also need to have thorough knowledge of what they’re doing. Look for companies that provide their staff with substantial training and testing regardless of their role.

Insured

Pest control companies aren’t required to carry insurance to protect consumers. However, it’s a good idea to inquire about insurance, as the EPA suggests that you reconsider hiring an uninsured pest control company.

Package Options

If you’re eradicating mosquitoes from your property, it’s likely you spend a good deal of time outdoors, which may mean that you need to control box-elder bugs, stink bugs, or other pests, too. Or you may want to ensure that pests don’t get in the house. If you need extra services beyond mosquito control, choose a company that can provide them. You could save money on a package deal, and it will likely be more convenient.

Ratings and Reviews

Whenever hiring a service company of any kind, it’s never a bad idea to check local and online reviews for any companies you’re considering. You should also ask for and verify referrals and check with acquaintances regarding their experiences with various pest control companies.

Satisfaction Guarantee

Ensure your company stands behind its work by offering either a free re-treatment service between appointments, if necessary, or an avenue to get your money back if you’re not happy with the service for any reason.

Pricing and Options

Whenever hiring service contractors, such as a pest control company, getting more than one price quote is important. When comparing quotes, ensure that the options you choose for your service are included in the total quoted price.

How Much Does a Mosquito Control Company Cost?

Mosquito control costs depend heavily on your location and property size, or at least how much of your property you want to treat. Single applications cost an average of around $125, but the average price drops significantly per visit when included in a season-long mosquito control plan. Plans typically cost between $350 and $550 for the season, usually making the price tag for each visit land between $70 and $100, depending on appointment frequency.

Are Any Mosquito Control Treatments Environmentally Friendly?

Even though the Environmental Protection Agency regulates and monitors the sale and distribution of insecticides used to control mosquitoes, that hardly means they’re all environmentally friendly.

Numerous ways to limit and even control mosquito populations without toxic chemicals do exist. Plant-based essential oils such as lemongrass, citronella, peppermint, and rosemary have shown success in deterring pests, but even these can harm humans, pets, and plants when used in large enough quantities.

The most environmentally friendly solutions center on eliminating mosquito breeding grounds around your property. Removing standing water, cleaning out rain gutters, and venting moisture from beneath crawl spaces, decks, and porches will send mosquitoes packing in search of other places to multiply.

“Fogging for mosquitoes can be harmful to the ecosystem around the home. It can affect not just the mosquitoes but all flying insects. That includes bees, ladybugs, and anything else you might find in the bushes around your house,” said Dallin Hack, a sales professional for Greenix Pest Control. But, Dallin explains, there’s a safer alternative, called a mosquito pot. These pots contain water, larvacide, an insecticidal fungus, and an odorous chemical that attracts egg-laying mosquitoes by mimicking the scent of a swamp.

After landing and laying her eggs inside the pot, the adult mosquito becomes infected with the fungus, which kills her in a matter of days. The eggs left behind hatch into larvae that will perish from the larvacide. Meanwhile, trace amounts of the larvacide adhere to the adult and travel with her to additional breeding sites as she disperses her remaining eggs before she dies. The new sites also become contaminated with the larvacide, killing new larvae there as well.

The Best Way to Ask Mosquito Control Companies About Their Methods

Hiring a pest control company invites someone into your yard, only the invitee is there to spread potentially dangerous chemicals around the areas where you and your children, guests, or pets frequent. For that reason, it’s important to understand what your pest control company is up to while it's on your property. Ask these questions, so you know what to expect:

How often are you going to be here, and how long should we stay out of the areas after spraying?
How soon can I let my pets be outside after spraying?
How could the chemicals affect sensitive plants in the yard, and how will you avoid contaminating them?
Will vegetables from my garden be edible after mosquito control?
Will you be spraying the general area or targeting specific parts of the yard?
How will you ensure that your treatment is effective?

Frequently Asked Questions

What do professional mosquito companies use to get rid of mosquitoes?

Unless otherwise specified, professional pest control companies eliminate mosquitoes using pyrethrins derived from chrysanthemums or the synthetic version of the same, called pyrethroids. Both of these chemicals have several subcategories, but all are designated as insecticides effective against numerous insect species.
How long do professional mosquito treatments last?

Professional mosquito treatments typically last around one month, and several treatments are often scheduled throughout the season to maintain control.
Does rain wash away mosquito treatments?

Mosquito treatment sprays are typically oil-based and dry shortly after spraying. Rain won’t wash away the oils once they’ve dried, and it won’t detract from their effectiveness.
How often should I treat my yard for mosquitoes?

If you’re aiming to have a mosquito-free yard for the entire season, treatment needs to happen every three to five weeks, depending on the mosquito population and the abundance of breeding grounds present in the surrounding area. For event-only mosquito eradication, allow a couple of days between the treatment and the event.
Is it better to fog or spray for mosquitoes?

Fogging for mosquitoes is excellent for short-term mosquito eradication. Spraying isn’t as fast-acting, but it allows the chemicals to stick around for a while and control the pests for longer. Fogging is best if you need immediate eradication, and spraying is best for long-term control.
What is the cheapest way to get rid of mosquitoes?

The cheapest and most environmentally friendly way to get rid of mosquitoes is to remove their breeding habitats by eliminating standing water, cleaning dirty rain gutters, and drying out damp areas in and around the home.

Methodology

When compiling our list of the best mosquito control companies, we used an extensive set of criteria, some of which is highlighted below. Our team reviewed more than a dozen companies, looking at services provided, customer support channels, quote processes, online tools, and more.

To receive a high rating, companies had to perform well in a handful of categories, including but not limited to: