What to Expect During Your First Mosquito Spray of the Season

You've scheduled your first mosquito treatment. Now what?

If you've never had professional mosquito control before, it helps to know what the process looks like so you're not caught off guard once it begins.

Here's what to expect from your first spray with Mosquito Squad of Greater Fort Collins & Boulder, from the first visit to the weeks following treatment.

Mosquito Treatments in Fort Collins Usually Start in May

The first treatment of the season usually happens in May in Colorado. This is when the temperatures are consistently warm enough for mosquitoes to be active.

The exact date differs from year to year. Treating too early isn’t very useful since mosquitoes are still overwintering. But if you treat too late, you’ll end up playing catch-up for the rest of the season.

Your technician will coordinate timing with you based on seasonal conditions. If the spring is running warm, your treatment might start earlier. Likewise, if temps remain low, the timetable might get pushed out a bit.

Before any treatment is applied, a technician will walk your property. They are specifically looking for areas where mosquitoes will breed and rest on your property.

In Fort Collins, that often means checking for standing water, often caused by irrigation or low spots in the yard. Dense vegetation along fence lines can also be a problem, as can shaded spots under decks and patios. Every property walk is different, but the basic principle is always the same: figure out where mosquitoes are going to want to breed and hide.

The Mosquito Treatment Itself

The technician will apply a barrier treatment to the problem areas found during the walk. The treatment consists of our EPA-registered Essential Botanical Insecticide, which is plant-based, and that gets applied to foliage, under decks, around patios, along fence lines, and anywhere else that’s likely to harbor mosquitoes.

The treatment creates a barrier on these surfaces. When mosquitoes land on treated vegetation, the treatment starts acting on the mosquitoes. It’s not a fog that drifts through the air, nor is it a force field that stops mosquitoes at the property line. But it helps keep mosquitoes from spending time on your property and taking over it. This is remarkably effective at population control, and can reduce their numbers by up to 90%.

If you have pets, you’ll want to bring them inside before the technician starts. Dogs and cats can go back outside once the treatment dries, which takes about 30 minutes.

After the Mosquito Treatment

The treatment takes about 30 minutes to dry. Once dry, kids and pets can use the yard normally. There's no lingering odor or residue to worry about.

You may still see mosquitoes on the first day, and that’s normal. The treatment won’t start working until mosquitoes rest on it. But within 24-48 hours, you should see a big difference in how livable your yard is.

Each treatment works for about three weeks at a time, which is why Mosquito Squad re-treats every 21 days. Each retreatment catches newly hatched mosquitoes and any that have migrated in from surrounding areas. Over the course of the season, the compounding effect of regular treatment keeps populations low rather than just temporarily knocking them down. 

Considering Mosquito Control for Your Fort Collins Property?

There are a few things you can do to help your first treatment be as effective as possible. It’s a good idea to mow your lawn first, since shorter grass gives mosquitoes fewer places to hide. It’s also a good idea to pick up toys, pet bowls, and anything sitting on the ground around your patio and deck area.

If you happen to see any trouble spots while you’re doing that, make notes and mention them to your technician as you walk the property.

Scheduling your first spray before June? For more information, reach out to Mosquito Squad of Greater Fort Collins & Boulder at (970) 658-2820 or contact us online for a free quote.