Mosquito Control

Mosquito Control in the Rio Grande Valley

Mosquitoes are more than an annoyance when you’re trying to enjoy your backyard. In South Texas, they’re an active health concern. The combination of heat, humidity, and standing water that collects after our heavy rains creates ideal breeding conditions, and mosquito season here lasts far longer than in most of the country.
At Del Valle Pest Control, we treat residential and commercial properties for mosquitoes throughout the Rio Grande Valley and across Texas. Our approach targets mosquitoes at multiple stages — not just the adults you see flying around, but the breeding sources that keep the population coming back.

Why Mosquitoes Are a Serious Health Risk in South Texas

Most people think of mosquito bites as itchy and irritating, which they are. But the bigger concern is what mosquitoes can carry. They are responsible for transmitting some of the most serious diseases in the world, and several of those diseases are a documented concern right here in Texas.
Mosquito-borne diseases relevant to South Texas and the RGV:

Dengue fever — Dengue has crossed the border from Mexico into Texas and is considered an active public health concern in the Rio Grande Valley. It causes high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, and in serious cases can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be life-threatening
Zika virus — Texas has documented locally transmitted Zika cases, particularly in border regions. It poses the greatest risk to pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects
Chikungunya — Transmitted by the same Aedes mosquito species responsible for dengue and Zika, chikungunya causes severe joint pain that can persist for weeks or months
Encephalitis — Several forms of mosquito-borne encephalitis occur in Texas, including St. Louis encephalitis and Eastern equine encephalitis, both of which cause inflammation of the brain
Dengue fever — Dengue has crossed the border from Mexico into Texas and is considered an active public health concern in the Rio Grande Valley. It causes high fever, severe joint and muscle pain, and in serious cases can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be life-threatening
Dog heartworm — Mosquitoes transmit heartworm larvae to dogs and cats. This is one of the most common and serious parasitic diseases affecting pets in South Texas

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the primary vector for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, is well established in the Rio Grande Valley. Unlike many mosquito species that are most active at dusk and dawn, Aedes aegypti bites during the day, which means outdoor protection matters at all hours.

Where Mosquitoes Breed

Understanding where mosquitoes come from is the first step in controlling them. Every mosquito starts as a larva in standing water. The breeding cycle from egg to biting adult can complete in as little as seven to ten days under warm conditions — which in South Texas means potential year-round breeding.
Common breeding sources on residential and commercial properties include:

Birdbaths, ornamental ponds, and water features that aren’t circulating
Clogged gutters where water pools after rain
Low-lying areas in the yard where water collects
Flower pots, plant saucers, and containers left outside
Children’s toys and play equipment
HVAC drip pans and condensation lines that drain onto the ground
Irrigation runoff that doesn’t drain properly
Ditches and drainage areas along the property perimeter

How We Treat for Mosquitoes

Effective mosquito treatment requires addressing both the adult population and the breeding sources. Treating for adults alone only provides short-term relief — new mosquitoes will continue emerging if breeding sites are not addressed.

Step 1 – Property Survey
Before any treatment, we survey the property to identify active breeding sources, resting areas, and the areas of highest mosquito activity. This lets us focus treatment where it will be most effective and give you specific recommendations for any conditions on your property that are contributing to the problem.

Step 2 – Breeding Source Reduction
Where possible, we eliminate or treat standing water sources directly. For water that can’t be removed — ornamental ponds, drainage ditches, areas that flood regularly — we can apply larvicides that target mosquito larvae before they develop into adults. This is an important part of a long-term program that most spray-only services skip.

Step 3 – Residual Barrier Treatment
We apply a residual insecticide treatment to the vegetation, shaded areas, and structures around your property where adult mosquitoes rest during the day. Mosquitoes don’t fly constantly — they spend most of their time resting in cool, shaded spots like shrubs, the undersides of leaves, dense ground cover, and beneath decks and overhangs. Treating these areas reduce the adult population significantly and keeps working for several weeks after application.

Step 4 – Direct Contact Treatment
For areas with high adult mosquito activity at the time of service, we apply a contact treatment that knocks down the active population immediately.

Step 5 – Ongoing Service
A single treatment will reduce mosquito activity, but it won’t eliminate the problem permanently. Mosquitoes recolonize from surrounding areas, and new breeding cycles begin after every rain event. For consistent protection throughout the season, we offer recurring mosquito service on a schedule that makes sense for your property and how you use your outdoor space.

Mosquito Control for Commercial Properties

Mosquitoes are a significant concern for any business where employees or customers spend time outdoors — restaurants with patios, hotels, schools, apartment complexes, warehouse with outdoor break areas, and event venues. We provide commercial mosquito programs tailored to the size of the property and the nature of the business, including recurring service with documentation.

What You Can Do Between Treatments

Professional treatment makes a real difference, but there are also things you can do on your property to reduce mosquito pressure between service visits:

Empty any containers that collect water at least once a week — flower pots, saucers, buckets, toys, anything outside
Keep gutters clean and free of debris so water flows through rather than pooling
Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week
Keep grass and vegetation trimmed, since dense overgrown areas are prime resting spots
Make sure your irrigation system isn’t creating standing water — check for heads that are flooding low spots
Use fans on patios and outdoor seating areas — mosquitoes are weak fliers and even a light breeze disrupts them
If you have a decorative pond, make sure it has a pump keeping the water circulating, or talk to us about a larvicide treatment

Serving the Rio Grande Valley and All of Texas

We provide mosquito control services throughout the RGV including McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, Harlingen, Brownsville, and surrounding communities, as well as across Texas including Laredo, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Dallas.
Our technicians are licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture, and we carry general liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long does a mosquito treatment last?

Residual barrier treatments typically remain effective for three to four weeks under normal conditions. Heat, rain, and irrigation can reduce that window. For ongoing protection through the season, a monthly or bi-monthly service plan is the most effective approach.

Will the treatment harm my plants, pets, or family?

We use EPA-registered products applied by trained, licensed technicians. We’ll ask that people and pets stay off treated areas while they dry, which typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Once dry, treated surfaces are safe. We’re happy to discuss product specifics with you before your appointment.

Do you treat the inside of the house for mosquitoes?

Mosquito control is primarily an outdoor service. We focus on the yard, landscaping, and exterior structures where mosquitoes breed and rest. If you’re finding mosquitoes regularly inside, that usually points to gaps in door or window screens, which we can also identify during the inspection.

Is one treatment enough?

For a one-time event like a backyard party or gathering, a single treatment applied a day or two beforehand can significantly reduce mosquito activity for the event. For sustained control throughout the mosquito season, recurring service is necessary.

Do mosquitoes breed in my neighbor's yard and come to mine?

Yes. Adult mosquitoes can travel several hundred feet from where they hatched, and some species travel even farther. Even if your property has no standing water at all, you can still have mosquitoes coming in from surrounding areas. Barrier treatments on your property help reduce the population you’re exposed to regardless of where they originated.

Schedule A Free Inspection

If mosquitoes are keeping you from using your yard, or if you want to get ahead of the problem before an outdoor event, give us a call. We’ll inspect your property, identify the sources, and recommend the right plan.
Phone: (956) 433-3348
We’re available 24/7 for emergency service needs.

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