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Yard pests · Pest library
Mosquito and tick control in Toronto, the GTA and cottage country
Mosquitoes and ticks can keep you off your lawn or dock all summer. Blacklegged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, are found in parts of Ontario, including the GTA and Muskoka.
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How to identify mosquitoes and ticks
These are the two biting pests we treat in yards and around cottages.
Mosquitoes
Breed in standing water as small as a bottle cap. Most active at dawn and dusk.
Blacklegged ticks
Tiny, and live in leaf litter and tall grass at yard edges, waiting on plants to latch onto people and pets.
Signs to look for
- Bites after dusk on patios, decks and docks
- Standing water in planters, gutters, toys or birdbaths
- Ticks on pets or clothing after time in long grass
- Shaded, damp areas with leaf litter along fences and trails
Why mosquitoes and ticks come inside
What draws them in
Mosquitoes breed in standing water around the yard. Ticks are carried in by animals such as mice and deer and live in shady, grassy and wooded edges.
Health and home risks
Mosquitoes in Ontario can carry West Nile virus, and blacklegged ticks can carry Lyme disease. Check yourself, kids and pets for ticks after time outdoors, and see a doctor if you find an attached tick.
How we handle mosquitoes and ticks
Inspect the yard
We find breeding sites and tick habitat.
Treat resting spots
Shrubs, shaded areas and other places mosquitoes rest.
Treat yard edges
Fence lines, trails, leaf litter and tall grass where ticks live.
Repeat through the season
Visits timed to peak activity, May to October.
Prevention tips
- Empty standing water weekly, including planters, toys and gutters
- Keep grass short and clear leaf litter along fences
- Add a strip of wood chips or gravel between lawn and wooded areas
- Do tick checks after yard work or walks in long grass
- Keep play areas away from yard edges
- Repair torn window and door screens
Common questions about mosquitoes and ticks
Are there ticks near me?
Yes, in parts of the GTA and Muskoka, especially near wooded areas and ravines. Public Health Ontario publishes current risk areas.
How long should kids and pets stay off the yard after treatment?
Your technician will tell you, based on the product label. Usually that means until the treated area has dried.
Related pests
Reviewed by PestDepart's licensed exterminators. For health concerns, including bites or stings, contact your doctor or local public health unit.