Spring is when spring mosquitoes quietly ramp up. A few warm days, a couple of rainy weeks (or heavy rainfall), and suddenly your backyard becomes a prime breeding zone.

The good news: you can cut down mosquito pressure early with a simple spring prep plan. Below are practical, homeowner-friendly steps you can start now—before the first big hatch.

Start with the mosquito life cycle in mind

Mosquitoes need two things to thrive:

• Standing water to lay eggs (even small amounts)
• Shady, humid hiding spots to rest during the day (common sheltering areas)

If you remove water sources and reduce “resting” areas, you make your property far less inviting—and you’ll notice fewer bites as warm weather arrives.

Do a spring standing-water sweep (10 minutes that pays off all season)

Walk your property after a rain and look for anything holding water. Mosquitoes can breed in surprisingly small amounts, especially around standing water sources.

Common springtime water sources to fix

• Clogged gutters and downspouts
• Buckets, toys, tarps, and overturned lids
• Flowerpot saucers and planters
• Birdbaths (refresh often)
• Wheelbarrows and grills covers that “cup” water
• Low spots in the lawn where puddles linger
• Tires (stored or decorative)
• Unused kiddie pools
• Water features and decorative water areas that aren’t circulating properly

If you live near lakes or along creeks, double-check drainage and runoff areas, since mosquito breeding patterns often spike when water lingers come spring.

Quick reference table: where mosquitoes breed and what to do

Spring yard tasks that reduce mosquitoes

• Mow early and keep grass shorter through spring (watch for tall grasses)
• Trim shrubs and thin dense landscaping (especially near patios and doors—don’t let overgrown shrubs create shade pockets)
• Rake up leaves and remove old brush piles
• Move firewood away from gathering areas
• Keep weeds down along fences, sheds, and the home’s foundation

This kind of proactive yard care is one of the simplest forms of homeowner pest control—because if your yard stays damp and shaded, mosquitoes tend to stay closer to where your family spends time in your outdoor spaces and outdoor living areas.

Check and repair screens before the first warm nights

It’s easy to focus on the yard and forget the house. But once mosquitoes get indoors, they’re hard to ignore.

Add these to your spring checklist:

• Repair holes in window and door screens
• Confirm screens fit tightly (no gaps on the edges)
• Replace worn door sweeps
• Keep doors closed during dusk/evening traffic (when mosquitoes become more active)

This is an important step for smart homeowners, especially right after winter, when small gaps can get overlooked.

Make your outdoor “high-use zones” a priority

You don’t have to treat your entire property the same way. Focus on the places you actually use:

• Patio/deck seating
• Grill and outdoor dining areas
• Play sets and trampolines
• Dog runs
• Pool areas and pool equipment zones

Spring is the best time to identify these zones and reduce nearby water and vegetation that gives mosquitoes cover. If you’re coming out of winter prep (after winter sets in), do a quick reset of your drainage, irrigation, and storage areas so they don’t become hidden risks.

Use repellents and habits that actually help

Repellent and timing won’t eliminate mosquitoes, but they can reduce bites while you’re building longer-term control.

Practical habits:

• Apply EPA-registered repellents when outdoors (follow the label)
• Wear long sleeves/pants for dusk yardwork
• Use fans on patios (mosquitoes are weak fliers, which helps cut the buzz)
• Avoid overwatering landscaping (creates damp resting areas)

Consider seasonal mosquito control before populations spike

If you typically get “swarmed” by early summer, spring is the time to get ahead of it—before mosquitoes multiply.

Environmental Pest Control offers seasonal Mosquito & Tick Control for homeowners in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, with coverage during peak months. You can review options and timing here:

• Mosquito & tick plan details
• Service area

If you’d like help identifying breeding areas around your home, you can also request a free inspection—including targeted inspections and basic system checks (gutters, drainage, and standing water sources) to guide a custom treatment plan:

• Schedule an inspection / request an estimate

Depending on conditions, some homeowners also ask about early-season fogging or emergency fogging services to quickly reduce active adults around high-use areas—paired with ongoing, safe treatments applied by expert technicians for longer-term control (a more concierge-level service approach).

(And while this article is focused on the Mid-Atlantic, the same spring fundamentals apply to Dallas-Fort Worth residents, including DFW homeowners dealing with neighborhood ponds, irrigation, and runoff.)

A simple spring mosquito prep checklist

1. Dump standing water (or refresh and scrub fixed water features).
2. Clean gutters and make sure downspouts drain properly.
3. Trim shrubs and remove yard debris where mosquitoes rest.
4. Repair screens and seal obvious gaps.
5. Identify your “high-use zones” and keep them dry, open, and well maintained.
6. If mosquitoes are a yearly issue, schedule seasonal protection early (ask about winter service options if you want continuity year-round).

A little spring prep can make the rest of your outdoor season noticeably more comfortable—and much less itchy.