Mosquitoes: the short answer
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so the most effective step is dumping and draining anything that holds water, every week. Add EPA-registered repellent and good window screens, and consider a professional yard treatment if you still can't use the yard at dawn and dusk. The Alabama Department of Public Health says West Nile virus is the most reported mosquito-borne disease in the state. Call (334) 555-0147 to speak with a local pest control company in the Prattville area.
Where mosquitoes breed around a home
- flowerpots, saucers, buckets and children's toys
- clogged gutters
- pet dishes and birdbaths
- old tires and tarps that collect water
- uncovered rain barrels and low spots in the yard
For other pests, see our main page about Prattville, AL pest control.
How urgent is it?
Prevent bites, especially at dawn and dusk.
ADPH lists West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis and La Crosse virus as mosquito-borne diseases in Alabama, and says no vaccine and no specific treatments are available for them.
What ADPH recommends
- dump and drain standing water, and clean and scrub water-holding containers weekly to remove eggs
- cover rain barrels with tight lids or fine mesh, and fill in low spots where water collects
- use EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus
- wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, and repair window and door screens
Read mosquito season in Prattville for a yard checklist.
What happens during a yard treatment
Yard inspection
The technician finds breeding sites and the shady spots where adult mosquitoes rest.
Remove or treat water
Standing water is dumped, and areas that can't be drained may be treated.
Treat resting areas
Shrubs, shady areas and the underside of leaves are treated where adults rest.
Recurring visits
Most yard programs repeat through the warm months.
What affects the cost
- Yard size and how much vegetation there is.
- One-time event treatment or a seasonal program.
- Number of breeding sites nearby.
See the cost guide.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What product do you use, and how long should we stay off the yard?
- Is it safe around pets, gardens and pollinators?
- How often will you treat, and when does the season end?
Mosquitoes around Prattville
Homes near water and wooded edges feel it most, from the area around Autauga Creek near Downtown Prattville to yards in Glennbrooke and along the Coosa River in Wetumpka.
What to have ready when you call
- roughly how big the yard is and what's near it: woods, creek or pond
- whether you want a one-time treatment or a seasonal program