Mosquitoes can ruin your summer.
They get on your nerves with itchy bites and carry dangerous diseases like Zika. Fortunately, there are some effective solutions available to get rid of them:
- While mosquito traps offer long-term relief and repellents can keep them at bay for a limited time, mosquito killer sprays can get you instant results – within minutes they clean an area of harmful insects.
- Use them to spray your backyard and all kinds of bugs will be gone. In comparison to repellents these sprays actually kill critters so they can’t annoy you the next day.
Most of them contain powerful insecticides which cover large areas. I personally use them every time I need immediate relief from my mosquito problem.
They have been proven to be a great tool against skeeters in less infested areas. I still get the occasional bite (nothing works 100%) but it’s far better than before.
Mosquito killer sprays are useful in particular when you need to secure your yard quick, say, before a garden dinner.
I reviewed 5 different sprays for every scenario (e.g. yard, outdoor trips, natural alternatives, high concentration, etc.) and will give you an overview about the best recommendations.
If you’re short on time, check out these recommended mosquito control sprays from Nature’s Mace. They are made from natural, yet powerful ingredients and help against a variety of different insects:
Natural Insect Repellent – Nature’s Mace
Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer: Top choice for yards
This is the right anti-mosquito spray for your back yard. It’s available in two different styles:
- The concentrate bottle hooks up to your garden hose and you can use water to mix your own spray.
- If you can’t be bothered with too much preparation there’s also a Ready to Spray-version available.
The active ingredient is Gamma-Cyhalothrin 0.08% which targets over 200 insects, including mosquitoes, spiders, ants, fleas. It’s effective for 1 to 2 months (against mosquitoes). Use outdoors only. There is a risk for humans, pets and fishes.
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Both work equally good, the concentrate is more economical though and you will save some bucks long term. That’s why I recommend that you choose this variant.
Application is straightforward:
- Just treat all areas you want to clean from bugs with the insecticide: lawns, bushes, plants and flowers.
- Mosquitoes breed in stagnant waters and once grown up they hide in hedges so be sure to cover these spots.
However it’s important to not use it in ponds because the active ingredient is Gamma-Cyhalothrin:
Gamma-Cyhalothrin is very toxic to insects (less to people) and interacts with the bug’s nervous system upon contact. It’s advisable to limit your exposure (touch, breath in, eat) and keep it away from children and pets. Don’t use it in dwellings as it is toxic to fishes. It’s okay to use it on most plants.
Take some precautions and you will stay fine though.
Why use it at all, you may ask. To give you an answer, let me summarize Spectracide Triazicide’s effectiveness against mosquitoes:
This stuff just plain works! After treating my plants with this product all bugs were gone for the next few weeks. This spray not only kills flying critters, but also more than 200 other types of insects.
I recommend this product to everyone who is concerned about killing bees as Triazicide targets less insect species compared to other products. Additionally I found that it lasts a bit longer than the other solutions listed here before it needs another run.
Effectiveness and duration of protection may vary between bug species. I personally use this stuff every 1-2 months to combat critters, but application time will depend on your local insect population and the environment around your home. I apply it after I notice an increase of troublesome bugs around my house.
As a result, my garden is free of most things that crawl on the ground or fly in the air. Spectracide Triazicide is not the strongest product on the market (keep on reading for more powerful alternatives) but in my opinion it offers a great balance between protection, side effects and environmental impact.
Spectracide Triazicide combines easy application with a great performance against all kind of bugs. Get it to get rid of them.
One of the biggest advantages of the sprays listed here is the quick results. In contrast to other anti-mosquito solutions you won’t have to wait weeks to get relief from critters.
- Sprays like Spectracide Triazicide eliminate mosquitoes upon contact.
- Once dried the ingredients stay active for a few weeks.
In addition I recommend that you rely on other tools like mosquito dunks for most effective mosquito control. However those will take some time until you see effects.
If you suffer from mosquitoes and you want instant results, this is the right choice for you. In comparison to mosquito traps it’s working way faster and you can target your enemies within minutes.
That’s why this mosquito killer spray remains one of the best solutions if you want to fight back annoying skeeters that harass you during outside activities. Buy it in case you need quick relief from itchy bites in your yard.
Scroll down further to learn how to make best use of your mosquito killer spray.
Cutter Backyard Bug Control: Outdoor killer spray
There are situations where you can’t take a big bottle around. For example, when you’re out camping or hiking it’s not feasible to carry a quart of insecticide with you. That’s were smaller sprays like the Cutter Backyard come into play.
The active ingredients are 2% Tetramethrin and 2% Phenothrin which target mosquitoes, spiders, ants, fleas, ticks. It’s effective for several days (against mosquitoes). Use outdoors only. There is a risk for humans, pets, bees and fishes
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Although it’s also available in bigger sizes I stick to the compact version of this product for all kinds of outdoor trips. Every time before sleeping I treat the area around my tent with this mosquito killer and so far it has been proven to be very effective against anything that bites.
It not only eliminates mosquitoes but other pests like flying moths, gnats, ants and firebrats too. This makes it the perfect choice for everyone who can’t stand nasty bugs in the wilderness. The Cutter Backyard Bug Control spray does a remarkable job.
One downside is that due to the size you have to be careful with its application.
- After a long 1 minute discharge the can is empty. As a result it’s best to have some reserves at hand.
- You obviously have to make some compromises in order to carry the relatively light bottle with you.
Just keep this limitation in mind before you spray and you will be okay.
A great killer spray for outdoor trips. I use it to secure the area around my tent.
From my experience one bottle lasts me between two to three days out in the woods. During that time it helps to prevent 90% of the mosquitoes from biting me. Mosquito coil and repellents help me with the small rest that is far easier to deal with.
While you still need to rely on other solutions like repellents, this outdoor killer spray effectively diminishes the risk of mosquito borne diseases when staying outside.
Mosquito Bandito: Natural and non-toxic concentrate
In contrast to the competitors above this concentrate relies on less concerning ingredients. You will immediately notice that it smells far nicer than your usual mosquito killer spray. The scent is minty and less chemical than many other choices.
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During my review it successfully killed mosquitoes, ticks, fruit flies and ants crawling around my garden. However I noticed that it works most effectively against insect larvae. As a result I recommend that you use it to dig to the root of the problem and kill the offspring before it hatches.
In contrast to non-biodegradable sprays Mosquito Bandito is less effective against grown up mosquitoes.
- Granted, you catch some critters flying around but soon they start to come back again because the ingredients evaporate too fast.
- You will still be able to control a small mosquito population in your garden, but if your property is heavily infested this product may not be enough.
It’s free of harmful chemicals and a viable alternative for less infested areas. Give it a try if you are concerned about spreading insecticides around your garden.
Therefore I recommend Mosquito Bandito if you search for a non-toxic way to control mosquito larvae. Be sure to check out the variant No products found. too. According to the reviews on Amazon a majority of users had similar success with it.
Buy it if you are concerned about spreading chemicals around your garden or in your home. It works great for less risky areas and doesn’t cause severe side effects like other potentially harmful insecticides.
Talstar Pro Pest Control Insecticide: Powerful mosquito killer spray
This is hands-down the best stuff against bugs. Talstar Pro is used by many pest control companies because it’s known to work very effectively against all kinds of insects, including mosquitoes. It’s something like a last resort after everything else has failed.
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Similar to the competitor below this spray’s active ingredient is Bifenthrin.
However, Talstar Pro ships with higher concentrations.
- In my opinion this makes it overkill for many home users because the toxicity is long lasting.
- Most other sprays are easier to use, so try them first. Furthermore the strong concentration demands for extra precautions when handling this mosquito killer to avoid side effects.
Bifenthrin has similar features to Gamma-Cyhalothrin. It’s very effective against a variety of bugs, including mosquitoes. Minimize exposure and don’t use it in ponds as it is toxic to aquatic life. Unlike Gamma-Cyhalothrin this ingredient is not considered safe for bees and it has shorter effective periods in low concentrations. Read more about it here.
That’s why I only recommend this product to someone who suffers from severe bug problems and is okay with diligent application.
Apart from that Talstar Pro is a great mosquito killer that is quite economical. It comes concentrated and you have to mix it with water before you can spread it indoors and outdoors.
One canister lasts a whole season so this is a great way to cut down on costs. Be aware though that it not only kills mosquitoes but a lot of other bugs too (good and bad ones). If you mainly suffer from mosquitoes, granules and traps are the preferred way to control them.
It’s strong, powerful and slightly overkill. A last resort for everyone suffering from hundreds of bugs.
To sum it up, this mosquito killer spray should be your last, powerful option when everything else fails. Use it once and you’ll have to sweep off hundreds of dead bugs. Take some precautions and this powerful insecticide will keep you free from all kinds of bloodsuckers.
Bug B Gon Insect Killer
A mosquito killer spray that relies on an incecticide named Bifenthrin. In comparison to products with Cyhalothrin (like Spectracide Triazicide) it lasts a bit shorter which means you’ll have to reapply this bug killer more often.
The active ingredients are 0.3% Bifenthrin; 0.075% Zeta-Cypermethrin which target 235 types, including mosquitoes, spiders, ants, fleas, ticks. It’s effective for 1 to 2 months and can be used outdoors and indoors. There are risks for humans, pets, bees and fishes.
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
However, keep in mind that it will greatly depend on your targets. I found that Bugs B Gon works best against spiders and needs more frequent application if you want to target mosquitoes in particular. I dilute it in water and spread it around hot-spots in my back yard.
In case you don’t want to mix chemicals Bugs B Gon is also available in a ready-to-use-version that is costlier but more convenient. It performs similarly effective to the picks above, however be aware that it also targets wasps and bees.
I recommend Bugs B Gon to everyone who is looking for a viable alternative to Spectracide Triazicide. While the competitor targets less species which results in a smaller environmental impact, I like Bugs B Gon’s spray mechanism more. It’s convenient to use and robustly built.
Buying any spray listed here will give you the chance for revenge, so choose the one that fits your needs. Bugs B Gon is a great mosquito killer to keep your back yard clean.
How to use them
It’s advisable to always read the label carefully because it will give you cues on how to use the product safely. Most mosquito killer sprays rely on insecticides which are potentially harmful to humans, pets and birds.
Furthermore they often target different kinds of bugs. If you just suffer from one specific type it’s best to check thoroughly that a spray is eliminating them effectively. Lust but not least you have to apply them diligently.
Mosquito killer sprays guarantee no miracles.
You’ll have to cover all breeding grounds and hiding spots (tree foliage, hedges, lawn grass, dark and humid spots, patios) on your property or it’s likely that the biting won’t stop.
From my experience it’s crucial to start early enough before season so you can kill the offspring before it hatches.
Safety and effects
Usually sprays bear the most risk during application. Once they are dried it’s not very likely to inhale them or get contaminated upon contact.
- Dry insecticides are considered quite safe.
- Consequently, it’s important to wear gloves and appropriate protective clothing when handling insecticides.
A mosquito fogger can help you applying the liquids around your yard. These machines work with most common mosquito killer sprays and allow you to cover a large perimeter in a very short amount of time.
In my opinion these are the most efficient way to use such sprays.
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What makes foggers a great tool is that they enhance the insecticide’s biggest advantage: they work within minutes and give immediate results.
Most other solutions take more time to eliminate mosquitoes. Sprays are different: they kill critters upon contact and then continue to stay on treated plants and lawns for a few weeks.
Hint: Take some precautions during application and treat your yard within minutes. A fogger makes spreading around insecticides way easier.
As far as effective duration goes, you will need some experimentation because it depends on weather, environment and number of bugs around your home. Normally you can expect mosquito killer sprays to last around 1 or 2 months during peak season.
Many products can be used indoors too, but I advise against it. From my experience it takes a long time until the insecticides evaporate. Only use them if all alternative fail. Barriers like mosquito screens are my preferred choice to stop bugs from entering my home. Additionally you can try indoor zappers if you suffer from flying critters.
Comparison to Alternatives
Despite their instant effectiveness against mosquitoes, I am using additional tools for my yard’s bug control.
- Mosquito dunks are a great way to kill off young larvae.
- Most of them contain biodegradable dried bacteria which make them less risky to use than chemical insecticides.
Mosquito killer sprays are a convenient quick fix but they work best in combination with additional products. For example, mosquito dunks/granules can be placed in ponds or larger stagnant waters because from my experience they don’t do harm to fishes.
- Biological Mosquito Control
- Quickly annihilates the larval population
- Safety and target specific control
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This makes them a must have for larvae control. Mosquito granules should be the first step to greatly reduce your critter problem.
I place dunks wherever I spot mosquitoes because I feel more comfortable using them than covering my plants in a screen of insecticide. While mosquito killer sprays are considered safe when used reasonably I still prefer mosquito bits. They work for me and they bear less risks.
Be sure to check out alternatives. They help you to cut down on chemicals around your home and perform comparable to killer sprays. However, they don’t work instantly.
I also rely heavily on mosquito traps to target mosquitoes, ticks, gnats and biting midges in particular.
Other beneficial insect are not bothered by these machines which allows me to keep environmental impact low. I’m not a tree hugger, but I found that other bugs diminish my local mosquito population, so I try to not trouble them.
Traps are mostly useless for other pests however. Many gardeners get harassed by a combination of flying critters, ants and spiders. In these cases an insecticide spray makes more sense and will give you better results. As you can see, the question regarding the best tool depends on the underlying problem.
Feel free to check out the other sections of this site for additional information on the alternatives mentioned.
Conclusion
Mosquito killer sprays are an unbeatable tool for anyone who suffers from multiple bugs. No other anti-skeeter solution offers a comparable performance in regard to effectiveness, straightforward application and instant results.
When choosing a product it’s best to make sure it targets the kind of bugs that annoy you. To keep environmental impact low, try to narrow down your enemies. As long as you reapply them frequently you can say goodbye to most critters troubling you.
Hi! My name is Mark and I’m an outdoor freak.
Visiting many exotic places around the world allowed me to gain some knowledge about effective mosquito control. That’s why I decided to start this site and give you in-depth reviews regarding the best repellents and traps.
And yes, you may call me Mosquito Mark.
