The short version
Around New Orleans, mosquito season runs from about March into November. Start by dumping standing water every week. A barrier spray every few weeks adds steady relief.
- Dump standing water every week.
- Daytime biters are usually tiger mosquitoes.
- Barrier sprays last about three to four weeks.
- Larvicide handles water you can’t drain.
- Use repellent with DEET, picaridin or IR3535.
Homeowners and renters in New Orleans who want their yard back.
What to look for
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, even a bottle cap's worth. In summer heat, eggs become biting adults in about a week. Often the source is a neighbor's yard or a storm drain.
- 1Swarms rising from shrubs when you brush past.
- 2Bites within minutes of stepping outside at dusk.
- 3Tarps, toys, or tires holding rainwater.
- 4Kiddie pools left full for days.
- 5A sump pit or crawl space holding water.
- 6Being bitten in full daylight, not just evening.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Each new generation is bigger than the last.
- Bites can spread West Nile virus.
- Itchy welts, especially for kids.
- Heartworm risk for dogs.
bite, to get protein for their eggsOnly female mosquitoesUS CDC in standing water, from a bottle cap to a pondMosquitoes breedUS EPA West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the U.S.Mosquito diseasesUS CDC Treatment options and typical costs
Property Inspection for Breeding Sites
$0–$150 (often bundled with a first treatment)
Before anything is sprayed, a pro in New Orleans should work out which mosquito you have and where the larvae are growing. Container breeders and floodwater breeders call for different tactics.
- Time
- 30–60 minutes
- Best for
- Every yard; finds where mosquitoes actually breed
Monitoring and Seasonal Plans
$50–$150 per follow-up visit; $350–$900 per season bundled
Most seasonal plans in New Orleans pair a barrier spray every 3–4 weeks with larvicide checks and a wrap-up visit in fall. Paying per season often beats paying per visit.
- Time
- 15–30 minutes per check; season runs spring through first frost
- Best for
- Anyone who wants the yard usable all summer
Source Reduction and Larviciding
$75–$150 per visit
Source reduction just means taking away the water mosquitoes need: tipping containers, clearing gutters, fixing drainage and filling ruts around your New Orleans yard. It is the cheapest control there is.
- Time
- 45–90 minutes
- Best for
- Yards with standing water, clogged gutters, ponds, or drains
Misting Systems and In2Care-Style Stations
misting $2,000–$4,500 installed plus refills; stations $200–$500 per season
In2Care-style stations lure egg-laying females and dust them with larvicide. The females spread it to other water and die from a fungus they picked up, which is why New Orleans pros like them for container-heavy lots.
- Time
- Misting: half a day. Stations: under an hour.
- Best for
- Specific yards: heavy outdoor use or spray-averse owners
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
Leaf-clogged gutters and downspouts hold water out of sight. Clearing them in fall means fewer places to breed in spring.Which mosquitoes bite around New Orleans.
They're the main West Nile carriers. They breed in storm drains. House mosquitoes (Culex) bite from dusk into the night. They also bite by day, often near or inside homes. Yellow fever mosquitoes live around New Orleans too. They breed in small containers. They're black-and-white and bite by day. Asian tiger mosquitoes are common around New Orleans.
Local mosquitoes conditions in New Orleans.
A provider who works New Orleans and Louisiana every day can point out the specific conditions that matter most here, and getting the scope, price, and follow-up terms in writing makes it easier to compare options. Knowing New Orleans's seasonal timing lets you schedule treatment before the busy stretch rather than after it, which usually means faster service and a more accurate quote. An inspection in New Orleans usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Around New Orleans, the area is mostly urban, so mosquitoes pressure can differ from one block to the next depending on how tight the entry points are and how much food, water, or shelter is close by. New Orleans sits in a humid subtropical climate, and that sets the pace for mosquito activity here: late spring through early fall; year-round in the deep south.
Mosquitoes that bite indoors usually slip in through gaps around doors or torn window screens.Mosquito season in New Orleans.
West Nile cases usually peak in late summer. Plan on regular visits. That's a long season.
A year of mosquitoes in New Orleans.
- Winter: a good time to fix drainage and low spots. - Fall: numbers stay high. Keep gutters clear of leaves. - Summer: with highs near 91°F in New Orleans, check water twice a week. - Spring: the first wave arrives early in New Orleans. Start treatments then.
The weekly water walk.
- Tree holes: fill them with sand. - AC drip lines and downspouts: make sure water drains away. - Pet bowls: refresh daily. - Birdbaths: change the water twice a week. - Tarps and covers: pull them tight so water runs off. - Toys and buckets: store them upside down. - Saucers and pots: empty them or add sand. - Gutters: clear leaves so water drains.
Avoiding bites.
- Timing: tiger mosquitoes bite by day; house mosquitoes at dusk. - Screens: repair holes in window and door screens. - Fans: a patio fan keeps weak-flying mosquitoes away. - Clothing: long sleeves and pants help at dusk. - Repellent: DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Low-cost ways to cut mosquitoes.
- Lights: yellow bug lights attract fewer insects to the porch. - Trimming: thin out dense shrubs and tall grass. - Pumps and fountains: moving water breeds far fewer mosquitoes. - Mosquito fish: they eat larvae in ornamental ponds. - Mosquito dunks: Bti tablets kill larvae in rain barrels and ponds.
Mosquito or look-alike?
- Mosquitoes: slim, long legs, and a needle-like mouth. - No-see-ums: tiny biting gnats near marshes. Screens need a finer mesh. - Non-biting midges: swarm near water at dusk. Harmless, just annoying. - Crane flies: look like giant mosquitoes. They don’t bite.
When a bite needs a doctor.
Spreading swelling or an infected-looking bite needs a check too. See a doctor for high fever, stiff neck or confusion. About one in five get a fever, headache or body aches. Most people infected with West Nile virus never feel sick. Most bites just itch for a few days.
Protecting your pets.
Refresh pet water bowls daily; with about 64 inches of rain a year in New Orleans, bowls and plant saucers refill themselves. Keep animals inside until a yard treatment dries. Talk to your vet about year-round prevention. Heartworm reaches dogs through mosquito bites, and cats can get it as well; New Orleans's season runs roughly May into December, so year-round prevention is the usual advice.
What a treatment visit looks like.
Most plans repeat every three to four weeks. Then they spray shady shrubs, where adults rest. Larvicide goes in water you can't drain. They dump or treat standing water. The tech walks the yard first. A visit usually takes 20 to 45 minutes.
Rain barrels and ponds.
- Pool covers: drain standing water after rain. - Tarps: shake out any that hold rainwater. - Gutters: clear them so water drains away. - Bird baths: change the water every few days. - Ponds: fish and moving water keep larvae down. - Barrels: cover openings with fine mesh.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- When can kids and pets go back outside? - How do you protect bees and flowers? - What happens if bites come back between visits? - Do you treat standing water too? - How often will you come? - What product will you spray?
What affects the price
- Gutter cleaning or drainage fixes bundled in.
- Re-treatment policy between scheduled visits.
- Travel distance from the company's base.
- Lot size and total acreage treated.
- One-time visit versus a seasonal plan.
- Amount of shade and dense vegetation.
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What's your biggest concern about mosquitoes?
When to call for help
Ponds, drains and dense shrubs are hard to handle yourself. early in the season, before the first big wave. Dumping water should come first. Call if bites still keep you indoors.
What you can do yourself
They also spray where adults rest, every few weeks. A pro adds larvicide for water you can't drain. Use repellent and run a fan on the patio. The biggest win is free: dump standing water every week.
Mosquitoes in New Orleans
New Orleans gets about 64 inches of rain a year, so containers and low spots refill constantly through the season. Summer highs around 91°F in New Orleans speed up the life cycle, and average humidity near 77% keeps adults active. In denser parts of New Orleans, storm drains, catch basins and gutters are big breeding spots.
Local research
Mosquitoes in New Orleans, LA: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which mosquitoes actually live in Louisiana, when they are busiest around New Orleans, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
West Nile neuroinvasive disease cases, 2024
Neuroinvasive counts are the most reliable state comparison because nearly all severe cases are diagnosed and reported.
CDCWhen mosquitoes are busiest around New Orleans
Long season; Texas DSHS notes mosquitoes remain active into November and December in much of Texas. CDC WNV season is June–October with a late-August/early-September peak.
For context, nationally
- 1,808 — West Nile virus disease cases reported, 2024. CDC
- 1,347 (75% of cases); 173 deaths — West Nile neuroinvasive disease cases, 2024. CDC
Sources: CDC. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources
Simple ways to keep mosquitoes away
- Repair torn window and door screens.
- Fix low spots that hold water for days.
- Flush tree holes or fill them with sand.
- Run a fan on the patio at dusk.
- Cover or drill drainage holes in tires.
- Empty plant saucers after every rain.
Renting? Shared courtyards, drains and landscaping are usually the property manager's to handle, so let them know.Did you know?
Tiger mosquitoes arrived in used tires in the 1980s
A female's wings beat hundreds of times per second
Questions people ask
Can I get rid of mosquitoes permanently?
Not completely. They fly in from nearby. Removing water and spraying resting spots cuts them down a lot.
Will mosquito treatment kill bees and butterflies?
It can if spray hits flowers. Ask them to skip blooming plants. Spraying when bees rest helps too.
How long does a mosquito treatment last?
A barrier spray usually lasts three to four weeks. Heavy rain can shorten that.
Can mosquito control help with West Nile risk?
It can lower it by cutting the number of biting mosquitoes. Repellent and dumping standing water still matter most.
What are In2Care stations and do they work?
They're small water traps. Mosquitoes visit, then carry larvicide to other water. They work best against container breeders like tiger mosquitoes.
How likely are homeowners to hire a mosquito control service?
Around New Orleans, mosquito control works by removing standing water, treating the water that cannot be drained, and applying barrier treatments where adults rest. Around New Orleans, because they keep breeding through the season, an ongoing plan usually works best.
When is mosquito season in New Orleans?
It runs from about March into November. Daytime biters are tiger mosquitoes; evening biters are usually house mosquitoes.
Do mosquitoes in New Orleans carry West Nile?
They can. West Nile is found in every lower-48 state, Louisiana included. Cases usually peak in late summer. Repellent and dumping standing water are your best protection.
Nearby cities
Related guides
Sources (11)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Mosquito Exterminator · Updated September 11, 2026 · How we write these guides