Mosquito Control Austin | Chem-Free Organic Pest & Lawn

One of the reasons homeowners have such a hard time controlling mosquitoes on their own is that these pests reproduce so quickly. Mosquito eggs can develop into larvae in only 24 to 48 hours, and not all species require standing water to breed. In addition, your yard provides these blood-sucking insects with many places to rest during the day so that they can attack you when you are most likely to be outside—at in the late afternoon, and to a lesser extent, during the early morning hours.

Chem-free’s mosquito control protocol is designed to address all stages of the mosquito life cycle, from egg to adult, by identifying and targeting both breeding grounds and resting areas.

Chem-free helps Austin homeowners control mosquitoes by:

Identifying Mosquito Breeding Sites

After our inspector has come to your home to do a preliminary assessment to advise you on which types of treatment will work best for you, a Chem-free technician will conduct a comprehensive survey of your property to identify key breeding habitats. Some of the places where mosquitoes may lay eggs include:

Storm drains at your curb which collect water after it rains
Potted plants and saucers near your entryways and on patios and decks
Trash and recycling containers, rain barrels, wheelbarrows, children’s wading pools, pet bowls and tires which can hold standing water
Ornamental ponds with no aeration or without larvae-loving fish
Rain gutters which are clogged with leaves and other debris
Areas with dense vegetation, including tall grass and shrubs which can serve as a harborage area
Holes in trees where standing water can pool after rainfall or when your sprinklers run

Keeping these areas free of excessive moisture can help keep your existing mosquito population from growing.

Using Natural Repellents To Keep Mosquitoes Away

Our customers count on Chem-free to suggest natural methods to keep mosquitoes at bay. Our technicians can recommend the use of citronella candles, “bug lights” and porch screens to control mosquitoes without harmful chemicals. We can also suggest certain plants to add near your entryways which can repel these pests, including rosemary, basil, catnip, geraniums, marigolds and lavender.

Low-Impact Treatment Options

Homeowners choose Chem-free’s low-impact treatments to reduce the mosquito population around their homes. While we can’t completely eliminate mosquitoes from your property, families notice a significant improvement for several weeks after a service.

Fogging Applications

While there's no permanent solution to mosquitoes, there is certainly something that can be done. We recommend fogging the yard on a regular basis. Chem-free's lawn fogging treatments can significantly reduce the mosquito population on your property for up to a month. The way this service works is that a technician sprays your front and backyard using a backpack-based fogging device. These devices allow our pest pros to target all the harborage areas on your property and significantly reduce the mosquito population keeping you from fully enjoying your yard.

Chem-free customers can sign up for recurring fogging applications (approximately every 30 days) and with regular applications, the mosquito populations can be reduced for you, your family and your pets. Remember: most mosquitoes come out early in the morning and late in the evening - just before dark. Those are the times you're most likely to encounter problems. So, make sure to apply mosquito repellent and/or wear long sleeves and pants.

What attracts mosquitoes to humans?

Female mosquitoes need the protein in human blood to develop eggs. So, not only are bites irritating, but they help increase the population of mosquitoes around your yard.

There is no scientific consensus about what attracts mosquitoes to certain people more than others. A few of the theories are that mosquitoes respond to changes in heat, movement, moisture and chemicals in the air, including lactic acid and carbon dioxide. Since dark colors retain heat and mosquitos prefer warm conditions, researchers claim that people wearing lighter colors are less likely to get bitten. Scented products, including clothes detergents and fabric softeners, can also attract these pesky pests.

What animals eat mosquitoes?

One way to control mosquito populations naturally is to introduce natural predators. Many types of fish eat mosquito larvae, so keep any ponds stocked to avoid becoming a pest nursery. Purple Martins and bats can also feed on mosquitoes. One of the best predators is dragonflies. These insects eat adult mosquitoes, and their larvae live in water and will eat mosquito larvae.

When is mosquito season in Texas?

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and prefer warmer temperatures. Those of us who have lived here in Central Texas know that we can have hot weather, even in the winter months. These blood-sucking creatures generally don’t feed on humans when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. Unfortunately, that means that there is not really a mosquito “season” here, although mosquitoes are more prevalent during the summer months.

How can I protect my family from diseases mosquitoes can transmit?

We all want to do everything we can to keep our families safe and healthy. Mosquitoes can spread malaria, West Nile virus, the Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue fever and La Crosse encephalitis. To protect our family members (furry members included) from mosquitoes, you can take the following measures:

Once a week, remove all standing water around your property, including that might be hidden in rain gutters, buckets, grill and pool covers, tires, watering cans, outdoor toys and lawn equipment.

At least weekly, empty or replace water in fountains, children’s plastic swimming pools, bird baths, rain barrels and planter trays at least weekly.

Treat your swimming pool regularly and keep the water in it circulating regularly.

Fill temporary pools of water with dirt or address any drainage issues on your property.

Repair or replace any leaking sprinkler heads that may cause water to collect.

Wearing pants, long socks, shoes and long sleeves when outside.

Replacing your porch and outdoor lights with “bug lights”.

Applying insect repellents, following the instructions on the label.

When are the worst times of day for mosquitoes?

One way to minimize the impact of mosquitoes on your family is to stay indoors during peak times when these pests are most active. Most mosquito species feed around dusk and dawn. In general, mosquitoes don’t like direct sunlight, so you are better off being in the sun than sitting in the shade. That said, some species, including Asian tiger mosquitoes, feed both in direct sunlight and any time of day.

Mosquito Control