How to get rid of mosquitoes in San Diego County
The mild San Diego climate lets mosquitoes breed nearly year-round wherever standing water sits for more than a few days. Backyard water features, clogged gutters, and drainage near lagoons and river valleys are the most common breeding grounds in the county.
What you're dealing with
Southern house mosquitoes and the invasive Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) are both established in San Diego County, with Aedes being the more aggressive daytime biter homeowners now report most.
How to get rid of mosquitoes: step by step
- Dump standing water weeklyCheck saucers under potted plants, birdbaths, clogged gutters, and anything that collects rain or irrigation runoff. Mosquitoes can complete their life cycle in less than a week.
- Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito fishGambusia (mosquito fish) eat larvae and are available free or low-cost through the county vector control program for residential ponds.
- Use mosquito dunks in water you cannot drainRain barrels, French drains, and other water you need to keep can be treated with Bti dunks, a larvicide that is safe around pets and people.
- Repair window and door screensSmall tears let mosquitoes into the house even when the yard is well managed. A quick screen check each spring closes an easy entry point.
- Run fans on patiosMosquitoes are weak fliers, so a box fan on a patio or deck during evening hours meaningfully cuts down bites during outdoor gatherings.
When to call a pro
If you have persistent daytime biting from Aedes mosquitoes, standing water you cannot locate or access, or a yard backing up to a lagoon or river valley, a pro can treat vegetation and hard-to-reach breeding sites with equipment beyond what a homeowner has. Repeated bites despite eliminating obvious standing water usually means a hidden source nearby.
Check mosquitoes cost, or read the signs of mosquitoes first.
Get rid of mosquitoes in your city
Pick your city for local causes, cost, and same-day service.
North Coastal
North County Inland
East County
South County
Common questions
Why am I getting bitten during the day in San Diego County?
Daytime bites usually mean Aedes aegypti, an invasive species now established in San Diego County that behaves differently than the dusk-active mosquitoes most people grew up with.
Do bug zappers actually reduce mosquitoes in a yard?
Not much. Research consistently shows zappers kill mostly non-biting insects and have little effect on mosquito populations. Eliminating standing water is far more effective.
How often does a yard need mosquito treatment in San Diego County?
Most treatment programs run every three to four weeks during the active season, since vegetation barrier treatments break down and new standing water can appear between visits.
Want mosquitoes gone for good?
Call for a free inspection and a flat-rate quote across San Diego County.