IPM for Best Results

Most service locations offered regular, targeted applications via mister-blower or sprayer (91%) to manage mosquitoes, reported PMPs in the 2026 PCT State of the Mosquito Control Market survey. Applications typically were liquid adulticide (76%), insect growth regulators (73%) and larvicide (71%).

Planet Pest Solutions relies on “a quality time-release residual with an IGR and the ability to locate breeding and resting sources,” said Craig George.

Still, it can be a challenge to achieve success in residential settings.

“Mosquito activity can drift over from an adjoining property that we do not service,” he said. (Though this does present an additional sales opportunity, he added.)

Commercial accounts typically have fewer variables. “It is more cut and dried usually for a commercial account like a hotel, since we can treat and affect most areas close by that have mosquito potential,” said George.

A growing number of service locations incorporated mosquito traps in their treatment regimens: 42%, up from 12% in 2014, when PCT first began asking PMPs about trap adoption.

Hulett Environmental Services combines traps with conventional mosquito treatment in a monthly service. It also offers traps as a stand-alone, environmentally friendly control program. This appeals to customers concerned about conventional pesticide applications.

“It’s definitely a green service that’s still getting considerable knockdown with no conventional spraying,” said Hulett’s Ben Gillenwaters. “There’s a portion of customers, that’s what they’re looking for. But for the people most concerned with results, using an integrated approach where you’re using all strategies is really your best bet.”

Technicians at Kathleen’s Lawn & Shrub Pest Control like using mosquito traps, said Mike Rogers.

“You knock down without having to be the guy spraying around the property,” said Rogers.

His technicians typically install two traps per property: One in the front yard, one in back. They also apply adulticide and larvicide, depending on the program and outdoor conditions.

Bohannan Services offers multiple service options to reduce mosquito populations. After inspecting the property and graphing out areas of concern, the firm recommends a treatment based on what’s going on in the yard and neighboring yards, as well as the customer’s preference.

Adulticide applications using a mister blower are standard service, “but there are certain times of year you have to be careful,” said Craig Keller. “You’ve got blooming plants and everything else. You’ve got to worry about the bees. So we’re very careful with that.”

Proximity to water bodies also may dictate a different control tactic.

When misting is not the best solution, Bohannan uses mosquito traps and essential oils, which Keller said have improved over the years. “Those products have gotten better and better,” he said.

The PCT survey found 29% of service locations used botanical products to manage mosquitoes. For 58% of PMPs, chemical trespass and drift was a major or growing concern at their accounts.

The most effective mosquito control programs employ the full array of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tactics, reminded PMPs.

“Really, we’re there to do an inspection, look at the pressure areas, look at the breeding sites, interview the customer, and then from there, come to a mutual understanding of what program and budget is best for that specific person,” said Gillenwaters.

Steve Russo, Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions, added: “The more comprehensive your approach is, the better effect you get. Better effect you get, the happier the customer.”

The average callback rate for mosquito control services was 5.9%.