If you’ve lived in Central Florida long enough, you know that mosquito season feels less like a season and more like an extended stay. As temperatures rise and the rain starts rolling in, mosquitoes seem to appear out of nowhere, turning peaceful evenings outside into a battle against buzzing pests. Beyond being a complete nuisance, mosquitoes in Florida can pose serious health risks, carrying diseases like West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
But here’s the good news—preparing for mosquito season before it hits full swing can make all the difference. With a few proactive steps and the right pest control plan, you can reclaim your yard and actually enjoy the outdoors this year.
Understanding Mosquito Season in Central Florida
Mosquito season in Central Florida usually kicks off around March and can stretch well into October. However, the real surge starts after the first few heavy rains of spring. Mosquitoes love warm, humid weather, and Florida serves that up on a silver platter. Standing water—whether from summer storms or a forgotten birdbath—becomes the ultimate breeding ground.
The most common mosquito species around here include the Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex mosquitoes. These names might not mean much at first glance, but they’re responsible for spreading viruses like West Nile, Zika, and others that can impact both humans and pets. Knowing what we’re up against is the first step in managing the problem.
Understanding Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Central Florida
While itchy bites are annoying, mosquitoes can bring far bigger problems. Central Florida’s mosquito population can spread several dangerous diseases, making it critical to take prevention seriously.
1. West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus is one of the more common mosquito-borne diseases in Florida. Many people infected never show symptoms, but in some cases, it can cause fever, headaches, and even neurological complications. The Culex mosquito is the main carrier, and it thrives in Florida’s wet, warm climate. Because symptoms can be so mild—or even go unnoticed—it’s easy for people to underestimate the risks.
2. Zika Virus
Although Zika hasn’t been in the headlines as much lately, it remains a concern, especially for pregnant women. The Aedes aegypti mosquito spreads this virus, which has been linked to birth defects and neurological issues. While Zika outbreaks are less common now, the potential health impacts mean it’s not something to take lightly. Staying proactive with mosquito control is still the best defense.
3. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
EEE is rare but serious. Florida’s wetlands and wooded areas provide the perfect environment for the mosquitoes that carry this disease. While cases in humans are uncommon, when they do occur, they can be severe, even fatal. Horses are particularly vulnerable, which is why many horse owners in Florida vaccinate their animals annually.
4. Heartworm in Pets
Speaking of pets, mosquitoes don’t discriminate. They’re the primary carriers of heartworm disease, which can affect both dogs and cats. Heartworm treatment can be costly and risky, making prevention key. Even indoor pets aren’t completely safe—mosquitoes can sneak in through tiny gaps and still pose a threat.
These risks make it clear that mosquito control isn’t just about avoiding itchy bites—it’s about protecting your family and your pets.
Why Early Preparation Matters
It’s easy to wait until you see mosquitoes swarming before taking action—but by then, it’s often too late. Once mosquitoes are buzzing around, they’ve likely already established breeding sites nearby. And here’s the thing: it doesn’t take much water for them to multiply. Even a small puddle or an old flowerpot tray can turn into a mosquito nursery.
Getting ahead of the game means fewer mosquitoes, fewer bites, and a lower risk of disease. Early preparation helps break the breeding cycle before it starts, saving you from an uphill battle during peak season. Plus, proactive control often leads to fewer long-term treatments, saving you time, money, and frustration down the road.
Top Tips to Prepare Your Yard for Mosquito Season
The good news? Keeping mosquitoes at bay doesn’t require a total yard makeover. Small changes can have a big impact when done consistently. Here’s where to start:
1. Eliminate Standing Water
This is rule number one. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, and it doesn’t take much—just a bottle cap’s worth can do the trick. Check for clogged gutters, birdbaths, flowerpot trays, and even pet bowls. After heavy rains, walk your yard and dump out anything that’s collected water. Don’t forget less obvious spots, like the hollowed-out spaces in tree stumps or toys left outside—they’re often overlooked but can easily collect water.
2. Keep Your Lawn and Landscaping Maintained
Mosquitoes love cool, shady spots during the heat of the day, and overgrown grass and shrubs are perfect hideouts. Regularly mowing your lawn, trimming bushes, and clearing debris can reduce mosquito resting spots. Piles of leaves, stacked wood, and overgrown hedges can create cool, damp environments that mosquitoes find irresistible. A tidy yard not only looks better but also makes it harder for mosquitoes to settle in and multiply.
3. Install or Repair Screens and Barriers
Nothing’s worse than mosquitoes sneaking into your house through a tiny tear in a window screen. Before peak season hits, do a quick check of all window and door screens, replacing or repairing any holes. If you have a patio or porch, mosquito netting can also be a game-changer. Adding weather stripping to doors and sealing cracks can help keep mosquitoes—and other pests—outside where they belong.
4. Consider Professional Mosquito Treatments
Sometimes, despite your best DIY efforts, mosquitoes just keep coming back. That’s where professional treatments can make a big difference. Barrier sprays and larvicide treatments go beyond surface-level fixes and tackle mosquito populations at the source. Professionals also know how to spot less obvious breeding grounds that homeowners might overlook, like storm drains or dense shrubs. At Wildout Animal and Pest Removal, we specialize in tailored mosquito control plans that keep these pests out for good, giving you peace of mind during peak season.
When you combine these steps, you’ll drastically reduce the mosquito population around your home—and enjoy a lot more time outdoors.
The Benefits of Professional Mosquito Control
DIY methods help, but they can only go so far. Professional mosquito control services are designed to go deeper, targeting hidden breeding spots and using specialized treatments that last longer.
At Wildout Animal and Pest Removal, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We customize our approach based on your yard, your concerns, and the mosquito hotspots we find. Plus, we use eco-conscious methods when possible, keeping your family, pets, and the environment in mind. Regular treatments also create a protective barrier that prevents new mosquito populations from taking hold, giving you consistent results all season long.
Why Choose Wildout Animal and Pest Removal
Our approach to mosquito control is thorough, strategic, and effective. We go beyond simple deterrents, focusing on long-lasting solutions that keep mosquitoes away for good. Here’s how we make that happen:
1. Comprehensive Mosquito Inspection
Every mosquito control service starts with a full inspection of your property by one of our highly-trained technicians. We search for mosquito hotspots and breeding grounds, targeting areas like old tires, buckets, wheelbarrows, and clogged gutters where water collects. Even small water sources, like flower pot saucers, can become breeding sites, so we leave no stone unturned. Our trained eyes often spot breeding grounds most homeowners wouldn’t think twice about, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
2. Targeted Mosquito Barrier Spray
Once we’ve identified problem areas, we apply a powerful barrier spray to common mosquito hideouts—trees, bushes, shrubs, and other dense vegetation. Using a backpack sprayer, we coat these areas with a growth regulator and insecticide that kills mosquitoes on contact. The treatment also bonds to foliage, continuing to repel mosquitoes for weeks after application. This creates an invisible shield around your yard, cutting down on both existing mosquitoes and new ones looking to move in.
3. Advanced Mosquito Trap Maintenance
To further control mosquito populations, we use In2Care mosquito traps, designed to target mosquitoes without affecting pollinators or other non-target species. These traps attract female mosquitoes to lay their eggs inside, stopping them from reaching adulthood. The real game-changer? The product inside the trap is transferable, allowing mosquitoes to spread it to other breeding sites, wiping out larvae before they can mature. We maintain these traps monthly to keep them at peak effectiveness, creating a ripple effect that controls mosquitoes well beyond the immediate area.
With Wildout’s multi-step approach, you get more than a temporary fix—you get long-lasting mosquito control that protects your family and yard. Our expert team tailors each treatment plan to your property’s unique needs, ensuring the best results possible.
Conclusion
Mosquito season in Central Florida is inevitable, but suffering through it isn’t. Preparing your yard now can save you a lot of frustration—and itchy bites—down the road. From clearing standing water to investing in professional treatments, there are plenty of ways to take control before mosquito season peaks.
At Wildout Animal and Pest Removal, we’re here to help make mosquito problems a thing of the past. Don’t wait until they take over—contact us today and enjoy a bite-free summer in your own backyard.
Wildout Animal and Pest Removal
Lakeland
863-315-WILD (315-9453)
Orlando
407-465-WILD (465-9453)
Tampa
813-WILDOUT (945-3688)
Home