About Mosquitoes in the East Valley
Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance in the East Valley — they are a legitimate health concern. The two most common species in the area are Aedes aegypti, an aggressive daytime biter, and several Culex species that are most active at dawn and dusk. Both breed in standing water, and the East Valley provides plenty of it: flood-irrigated neighborhoods, backyard pools, monsoon runoff, and irrigated landscaping create breeding habitat across the entire metro.
Maricopa County reports West Nile virus cases every year, and the Aedes aegypti mosquito is a known carrier of Zika virus and dengue fever. A single female mosquito can lay up to 200 eggs at a time in water as shallow as a bottle cap, and in warm Arizona temperatures, those eggs can develop into biting adults in as little as a week. Left unchecked, mosquito populations can make backyards, patios, and outdoor living spaces unusable during peak months.
Where Mosquitoes Breed and Why the East Valley Is a Hotspot
Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce, and they are not picky about where they find it. Common residential breeding sites include potted plant saucers, bird baths, clogged gutters, old tires, neglected pools and spas, pet water bowls, and low spots in the yard where irrigation or rain water collects. Even a forgotten cup left outside can produce dozens of mosquitoes.
The East Valley’s mix of flood irrigation, dense residential development, and monsoon storms makes it especially mosquito-prone. Neighborhoods in East Mesa, Queen Creek, and Gilbert that sit near agricultural land or use flood irrigation see particularly heavy mosquito pressure. Monsoon season from July through September floods storm drains and creates temporary breeding pools across the landscape, which is why mosquito activity peaks during those months.
When Are Mosquitoes Most Active in the East Valley?
Mosquito activity peaks during monsoon season when standing water from rain creates ideal breeding habitat. Irrigated landscaping, pools, and flood irrigation in areas like East Mesa and Queen Creek sustain populations from spring through fall. Activity drops significantly once overnight temperatures cool in November.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Citronella candles, tiki torches, and plug-in repellent devices might provide minimal relief in a small area, but they do not reduce the mosquito population on your property. If breeding sites are not addressed and adult populations are not knocked down, mosquitoes will continue to reproduce and bite.
Professional mosquito control combines two approaches. Barrier treatments are applied to vegetation, fencing, eaves, and other shaded areas where adult mosquitoes rest during the day. These residual products kill mosquitoes on contact and continue working for several weeks. Larvicide treatments are applied to standing water sources that cannot be eliminated — catch basins, irrigation features, and low-lying areas — to prevent new mosquitoes from developing. Ongoing treatments every three to four weeks during peak season keep populations low and your outdoor spaces usable.
