Mosquitoes
Learn how to prevent and eliminate mosquitoes fast. Pest Pro Exterminator Calgary offers safe, effective mosquito control for homes and businesses.
What Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are small, flying insects known for their itchy bites and constant buzzing. While they may seem like a minor nuisance, mosquitoes can also carry harmful diseases and multiply rapidly in standing water.
Female mosquitoes feed on blood to produce eggs, laying between 100 and 400 eggs at a time in still or slow-moving water. Their life cycle from egg to adult can take less than 10 days in warm weather, especially when temperatures are between 22°C and 27°C.
Because of their rapid breeding, a small amount of stagnant water can quickly lead to a major mosquito infestation around your home or yard.
🧬 Understanding Mosquito Habitats
Mosquitoes thrive in standing water, such as puddles, rain barrels, flowerpots, birdbaths, and even clogged gutters. Their larvae live in water until they mature into adults, making water management the most effective prevention strategy.
Natural predators like fish, frogs, dragonflies, beetles, and certain water birds help control mosquito populations by feeding on larvae. However, human intervention is often needed to keep infestations under control — especially in urban environments like Calgary.
💧 How to Prevent Mosquito Breeding
✅ Remove Standing Water
Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by keeping your property clean and dry:
Empty and scrub bird baths, pet water bowls, and flower pots at least twice a week.
Store wheelbarrows, boats, and watering cans upside down to prevent water accumulation.
Keep gutters and downspouts clean so water doesn’t collect.
Repair leaky faucets, outdoor pipes, and hoses.
Cover garbage and compost bins to stop water from pooling on lids.
Regularly chlorinate and clean swimming pools, even when not in use.
Drain puddles or low spots in your yard that collect rainwater.
✅ Maintain Decorative Water Features
Aerate ponds and water gardens to keep the water moving.
Use fine mesh screens to cover rain barrels and water containers.
Empty water from pool covers and plastic wading pools when not in use.
🧪 Mosquito Larvicides — Controlling Larvae Before They Hatch
If removing all sources of standing water isn’t possible, use approved mosquito larvicides to kill larvae or prevent them from developing into adults.
Look for products registered in Canada with a Pest Control Product (PCP) number and always follow the label directions carefully.
Common active ingredients include:
Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) or Bacillus sphaericus – natural bacteria that kill mosquito larvae.
(S)-methoprene or novaluron – disrupt mosquito development before they reach adulthood.
Apply larvicides safely in:
Ornamental ponds
Rain barrels
Flower planters
Flooded low-lying areas
❌ Products That Don’t Work
Despite popular belief, these devices and gadgets do not effectively reduce mosquito populations:
Bug zappers or electrocutor traps
Ultrasonic mosquito repellers
Mosquito coils, lanterns, and sprays (limited temporary effect)
To truly reduce mosquito numbers, focus on eliminating breeding sites and treating larvae.
⚠️ Health Risks of Mosquitoes
While diseases like malaria and Zika are rare in Canada, West Nile virus remains a health concern. Though the overall risk is low, preventing bites is still important for protecting yourself and your family.
🧍♂️ How to Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
Use insect repellents approved by Health Canada (look for a PCP number).
Wear long sleeves, pants, socks, and closed shoes during mosquito-active hours (dusk and dawn).
Choose light-coloured, tightly woven clothing like nylon or polyester.
Install or repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out.
Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or protecting infants in strollers.
Limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours whenever possible.
🧰 Professional Mosquito Control in Calgary
If you’re dealing with persistent mosquito problems around your property, Pest Pro Exterminator Calgary offers safe, effective, and eco-friendly mosquito control services. Our experts locate breeding sites, apply targeted larvicides, and create long-term prevention plans to keep your yard bite-free.
✅ Safe for families and pets
✅ Effective residential and commercial mosquito treatments
✅ Guaranteed results across Calgary and nearby communities
🦟 Take Back Your Yard from Mosquitoes
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer. Contact Pest Pro Exterminator Calgary today for professional mosquito control and prevention solutions you can trust.