Name: Jim's Pest Control
Address: 48 Edinburgh Rd, Mooroolbark, VIC, 3138, AU
Telephone: 131 546
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.9

48 Edinburgh Rd, Mooroolbark 3138, VIC

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The fastest way to get rid of mosquitoes in your backyard is to remove the standing water they breed in. Check every spot that holds water, empty it, and keep doing it each week. Then cut back the shady, damp places where adult mosquitoes rest, and use a repellent when you are outside.

Mosquitoes do not need much. A pot plant saucer, a blocked gutter or a forgotten bucket is enough. Warm spring weather and rain speed it all up, which is why numbers climb fast in November and December. This guide shows you where to look, what to fix, and when it is worth calling a pest controller.

Why are there so many mosquitoes after rain?

Rain fills every container in your yard with fresh, still water. Warm days then speed up breeding. In summer, mosquitoes can go from egg to flying adult in as little as 7 to 10 days. In cooler months, the same cycle takes several weeks.

That means one wet weekend can lead to a swarm about a week and a half later. If you had rain in the last 10 days and you are now seeing more mozzies, this is the reason.

Coastal areas can get a second boost. In parts of NSW and Queensland, high tides and heavy rain flood saltmarshes, which creates ideal breeding grounds for the saltmarsh mosquito. That species is a known carrier of Ross River virus.

Do mosquitoes breed in small amounts of water?

Yes. They can breed in any standing water, including very small amounts. A bottle cap, a pot plant dish or a rolled-up tarp holding a puddle can be enough for a female to lay eggs.

This is why backyard mosquito control comes down to checking small, easy-to-miss spots. Big ponds and pools matter less if they are well kept.

Step 1: Find and remove breeding spots

Walk around your yard once a week, ideally after rain. Look for any water that has been sitting for more than a few days.

Where to look	What to do
Pot plant saucers and trays	Empty them, or fill the saucer with sand
Buckets, wheelbarrows and toys	Turn upside down or store under cover
Gutters and downpipes	Clear leaves so water drains fully
Tarps, pool covers and boat covers	Pull tight so water cannot pool
Old tyres, drums and containers	Dispose of them or drill drain holes
Bird baths and pet bowls	Change the water every 2 to 3 days
Rainwater tanks	Fit fine mesh screens over every opening
Ponds and water features	Add a pump, or stock with fish that eat larvae (check with your council which species are allowed)
Palm fronds, bromeliads and tree hollows	Flush out water regularly or fill hollows with sand
Swimming pools	Keep them chlorinated and the pump running

Do this once, then set a reminder on your phone to do it every Sunday. Most backyard mosquito problems come from skipping a week.

Step 2: Cut down their hiding spots

Adult mosquitoes rest in cool, shady, damp places during the heat of the day. If your yard offers a lot of this, you will see more of them in the evening.

Trim back dense shrubs and low branches
Mow the lawn and clear long grass
Clear fallen leaves and garden waste
Clean up under decks, sheds and stairs
Move woodpiles and rubbish away from walls
Improve airflow with a fan on your patio, because mosquitoes are weak fliers

Mosquitoes bite most at dusk and dawn, but some species also bite during the day. If you plan to sit outside, an oscillating fan can help keep them off you.

Step 3: Protect yourself and your family

Even after you clean up the yard, you will probably still see some mosquitoes. Your neighbours' yards, nearby creeks and bushland all add to the numbers. Health departments across Australia recommend these steps:

Use repellent. Choose one with DEET or picaridin. Lotions and gels last longer than sprays. Read the label and reapply as it says. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is another option.
Wear long, loose clothes. Light colours work best. Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothes like jeans.
Screen your doors and windows. Repair holes in flyscreens.
Use mosquito nets for babies, caravans and camping.
Use coils outdoors. They can help, but follow the label and never use them indoors.

Candles, bug zappers and wristbands have little effect, so we do not rely on them.

Ross River virus: how to lower the risk

Some mosquitoes carry viruses, including Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus. These are present in many parts of Australia. Symptoms often include sore, swollen joints, fatigue and muscle aches. They can last for weeks or months.

You cannot catch it from another person. It spreads when a mosquito bites an infected animal and then bites you. There is no vaccine, so prevention matters.

The same steps apply: remove breeding sites, wear repellent and cover up at dusk and dawn. If you develop joint pain and fever after mosquito bites, see your doctor. Your local council and state health department also post mosquito alerts, so keep an eye on them in summer.

When is it time to call a pest controller?

Cleaning up your yard handles most of the problem. Call us if:

You have done the clean-up and still get swarms every evening
Your yard backs onto a creek, wetland, golf course or bushland
You have a large property with dense gardens, tanks or ponds
You are hosting a BBQ, wedding or party and want a clear yard
Someone in your home is very sensitive to bites, or you have babies and elderly family members at home

Our mosquito control service starts with a walk around your property. We look for breeding spots you may have missed, then treat the places adult mosquitoes rest, like foliage, fence lines and shaded areas. We also give you a short list of changes to make so the treatment lasts longer.

If you want a quote, call 131 546 or send an online request with a few photos of your yard.

Are they mosquitoes or fleas?

Itchy bites do not always come from mosquitoes. If the bites are clustered around your ankles and lower legs, and you have pets, fleas may be the cause. Mosquito bites are usually on exposed skin like arms, neck and face. Read about flea control for homes and pets if you think you have a flea problem.

Mosquito season by state

Queensland: Mosquitoes are active almost all year in the north and peak from spring to autumn in the south. Find your local team on our Queensland pest control page.
New South Wales: Numbers rise with the first warm, wet spells in spring, and coastal saltmarsh areas see extra activity after summer tides. See our NSW locations.
Victoria: Inland river areas and wet regions see strong spring and summer activity. See our Victoria locations.
Northern Territory: Mosquitoes are a year-round concern and peak in the wet season from November to April.

Frequently asked questions

Remove standing water every week, trim dense plants and long grass, and use repellent when you are outside. If they keep coming back, a professional treatment can reduce the adult mosquitoes that rest in your garden.

Yes. A pot plant saucer, bottle cap or tarp fold with water in it is enough. Always check the small spots first.

Empty or cover anything that holds water, clear gutters, screen rainwater tanks and keep pools and ponds clean. Do a weekly check, especially after rain.

In summer, a mosquito can go from egg to flying adult in 7 to 10 days. In cooler months, it can take several weeks.

Rain fills containers, puddles and gutters with still water, and warm weather speeds up breeding. A big swarm often appears about 1 to 2 weeks after a wet spell.

Remove breeding sites, use a repellent with DEET or picaridin, wear long loose clothing at dusk and dawn, and screen your home. There is no vaccine, so avoiding bites is the best protection.

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