Warm, humid Melbourne evenings are great for barbecues, and for mosquitoes. From late spring to early autumn, many households find they can’t sit outside without being bitten. Here’s where mosquitoes come from, why it matters for your health, and practical ways to control mosquitoes around your home.
Where mosquitoes breed around your home
- Pot plant saucers, buckets, toys and anything that holds rain
- Blocked gutters and drains
- Bird baths and pet water bowls that aren’t changed often
- Water tanks without proper screens
- Unused pools and ponds without fish
- Tyres, tarps and hollows in trees
A common backyard mosquito in Melbourne, Aedes notoscriptus, is very good at breeding in small containers, so even a tidy yard can produce plenty of mosquitoes.
Why mosquito bites matter in Victoria
Most bites are just itchy, but mosquitoes can also carry disease. The Victorian Department of Health says there is increasing evidence that mosquitoes and possums play a key role in spreading Buruli ulcer, a skin infection found around Port Phillip Bay, the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas and a growing number of Melbourne suburbs. In 2026, University of Melbourne and Doherty Institute researchers reported that mosquito control in an urban area greatly reduced people’s risk of Buruli ulcer.
How to reduce mosquitoes in your backyard
| Do this | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Tip out standing water weekly | Breaks the breeding cycle before larvae become adults. |
| Clean gutters | Blocked gutters hold water for weeks. |
| Screen water tanks | Stops mosquitoes laying eggs inside. |
| Change bird bath and pet water every few days | Removes eggs and larvae. |
| Fit and repair flyscreens | Keeps mosquitoes out of the house. |
| Cut back dense, shady plants | Reduces places where adult mosquitoes rest during the day. |
How to avoid bites
- Use a repellent with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing outdoors.
- Use mosquito coils or plug-in repellents when sitting or eating outside.
- Wear gloves when gardening and wash skin after working in soil.
Can’t enjoy your backyard?
Tell us about your yard and we’ll text you a fixed price for a mosquito treatment.
What professional mosquito control involves
- Inspection: we find breeding sites and the shady spots where adult mosquitoes rest.
- Treatment: registered products applied to resting areas such as dense foliage, under decks and shaded walls.
- Advice: how to remove breeding sites so the treatment lasts longer.
See our mosquito control in Melbourne service. If possums are also visiting your yard, read possum in the roof: what Victorian rules allow.
Frequently asked questions
When is mosquito season in Melbourne?
Mosquitoes are most active from late spring to early autumn, especially after rain and on warm, humid evenings.
Do mosquito treatments work?
A professional treatment can reduce the number of adult mosquitoes resting around your yard. Removing standing water is what keeps numbers down long term.
Are mosquitoes linked to Buruli ulcer?
The Victorian Department of Health says there is increasing evidence that mosquitoes and possums play a key role in spreading Buruli ulcer in Victoria. Avoiding bites is one way to lower your risk.
How much does mosquito control cost?
It depends on the size of your yard and how much vegetation needs treating, so we give a fixed quote. See our pest control cost guide for other prices.
