Mosquito Control in New York

Where do mosquitoes breed in a city building?

Mosquitoes breed in any still water that lasts a few days, including roof puddles, clogged gutters, buckets, planter saucers, tarps and drainage pits. In a building the likely culprits are roofs and gutters, and in a house they are yards, trays and containers. A technician finds them with a walk-round.

Because the water is often small and out of sight, a person living below the roof may be bitten by mosquitoes that bred a few floors above. That is one reason to involve the owner or managing agent in roof inspection.

Emptying containers weekly during the warm months interrupts the cycle, and you can do that yourself without a visit.

When is mosquito season in New York?

Mosquito activity follows warmth and humidity, so it typically picks up in late spring and peaks in the humid months. Central Park's July mean is about 77 F with a mean high near 85 F, and July is the most muggy month, so summer is when most calls come.

Cold winters bring activity down, though a flooded basement or warm drain can hold insects over winter. A technician will plan visits to match what is happening on your property rather than a fixed calendar.

Our New York City pest calendar shows month by month what changes through the year.

Do you spray the whole yard?

No. The first steps are removing standing water and treating larval sites, then treating resting areas such as shrubs and shaded walls. Blanket spraying of open lawn does little, so a technician aims at the places where mosquitoes breed and rest, and tells you what to avoid after treatment.

Tell the technician about vegetable gardens, ponds, beehives, pets and children's play areas, because they affect where and how product is placed. Flowering plants that attract bees are treated with care or left out.

Who is responsible for standing water on a roof or in a courtyard?

The owner, co-op or condo board and managing agent are generally responsible for roofs, gutters and shared courtyards in a multiple dwelling. Report standing water in writing, keep a copy and call 311 if it is not dealt with. Your own balcony, planters and containers are yours to empty.

Our guide to landlord or tenant pest responsibility explains the general picture, including what the Housing Maintenance Code asks of owners.

What can I do to reduce mosquitoes without a visit?

Empty or turn over containers weekly, clear gutters, fix low spots on a flat roof, cover rain barrels with fine mesh and keep planter saucers dry. Trim dense shrubs where adults rest. These steps reduce breeding and resting sites, and a technician can show you which ones matter most on your property.

Fans on a patio or roof deck help, because mosquitoes are weak fliers. Screens on windows and doors, in good repair, keep them out of flats, and cellar windows are worth checking too.

Do not forget the small things: a bottle cap of water can be enough for larvae. Walk the space after rain and look for anything holding water for more than a few days.