Pest Guide · Lake of the Ozarks
Mosquitoes: how they live, why they invade & how to get rid of them
On the water, mosquitoes can run you off your own deck. They breed in standing water - and a lakefront property has plenty of hidden sources - then swarm at dusk. Beyond the itch, they're the main disease-carrying pest in Missouri.
How mosquitoes live
Females lay eggs in still water and can go from egg to biting adult in about a week. It doesn't take a pond - a clogged gutter, a boat cover, a bucket, a birdbath, or a dish under a plant is enough. They rest in shady, humid vegetation by day and come out to feed at dawn and dusk.
Why they come into your home
Standing water and dense, shady plantings are the whole story. Lakefront lots concentrate both: low spots that hold water, boat covers, tarps, and lush landscaping give them everywhere to breed and hide, right where you want to be outside.
Signs of a mosquitoes problem
- Biting swarms at dawn and dusk, especially near water
- Wrigglers (larvae) in standing water
- Itchy welts after time on the deck or dock
- Heavy activity in shady, damp landscaping
How to get rid of mosquitoes
Control starts with dumping standing water weekly. From there, a treatment program knocks down resting adults in shaded vegetation and can include larvicide for water that can't be drained, with recurring service through mosquito season. That's how you actually get your dock and deck back at dusk.
How to keep them out
- Dump or refresh standing water weekly - buckets, covers, birdbaths
- Keep gutters clear and grade out low, wet spots
- Trim back dense, shady vegetation
- Run fans on the deck; move at dusk if untreated
- Consider recurring seasonal mosquito treatment
Dealing with mosquitoes at the Lake? All American has treated them since 1971 - local, licensed, and using no-odor products that are safe around kids and pets. We'll identify what you have and put together a plan that actually solves it.
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Family-owned since 1971 · Serving the Lake of the Ozarks