How to Get Rid of Mosquito Hawks

This page is an expert guide on getting rid of mosquito hawks from your property using the products and methods suggested by our experienced pest control specialists. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee you will be successful in eliminating mosquito hawks.

Are you finding damage on your lawn? There can be a number of different pests that are known to injure turf and one of them is known as the mosquito hawk, or crane fly to be precise.

Crane flies are known by a variety of different names that sound menacing like mosquito hawks, mosquito eaters or even super mosquitoes because of their resemblance to mosquitoes and large size. The truth is that mosquito hawks are relatively harmless in their adult stage and don't even eat mosquitoes or anything at all for that matter.

The harm caused by mosquito hawks comes when they are in their larval stage and have hatched out of their eggs on lawns. They are known to be relentless eaters of turf, damaging plant roots and stems during this phase.

An infestation of mosquito hawk larvae can do a number on your lawn so if you discover these pests on your property, you should act quickly to eliminate them. Follow our guide below to know exactly what you should do.

Identification

Mosquito hawks are better known as crane flies. They resemble giant mosquitoes because of their delicate bodies and long, slender legs. Mosquitoes hawks start out as an egg, develop into a larva, then the pupa stage and finally grow into an adult.

Crane flies are nicknamed mosquito hawks because the larva of the crane flies feed on the larva of the mosquitoes which hinders the lifecycle of the mosquito. Most adult crane flies prefer feeding on nectar, pastures and lawns or nothing at all because they only live a few days before dying.

Most mosquito hawk damage is caused by the larvae. The larva looks like a black slug called leather jacket or grubs. It feeds on the turf, roots, grass, flowers and other plantation causing major destruction. So, even if the crane flies may not be eating the mosquitoes these insects are definitely a pest.

Inspection

Where To Look

Adult mosquito hawks live for a few days, enough time to mate, lay eggs and then die. They usually lay the eggs in moist soil, marshes, creeks and ponds. Take a close look at your turf soil to see if there is larvae present. The mosquito hawk is active around spring and fall but some species may show up in the winter time.

What To Look For

Scan your yard, specifically areas where you notice damage via discolorations of the grass. We would recommend cutting a square foot sample of turf away from the areas you are observing to get a better look of the soil for any larvae. You can then determine whether you have a small or large infestation.

Treatment

Solutions Pest & Lawn has professional fly control DIY products that can help you to eliminate the presence of mosquito hawks on your lawn. Our top recommendation is a treatment of Supreme IT Insecticide.

Step 1 - Apply Supreme IT Insecticide

Supreme IT is a broad-spectrum insecticide that is labeled for treating mosquito hawks (crane flies). It also has a long residual effect that continues to kill for up to 90 days after application.

To apply Supreme IT, simply mix water in a handpump sprayer with Supreme IT at a rate of 1 oz per gallon to cover 1,000 sq. ft. Measure the square footage of your lawn to determine how much Supreme IT you need to cover the entire area. Shake well and pump your sprayer.

Broadcast the Supreme IT mixture over your entire yard and garden as opposed to spot treating. Reapply as needed until you see no further lawn damage or crane fly activity.

Prevention

Once Mosquito hawks have been treated, you are going to want to implement some preventative measures to make sure they don't return. Crane flies breed and thrive in damp and moist areas so make sure the soil is not too damp and there are no puddles or stagnant water. Remove all foliage, debris and all decayed leaves from the garden. Fix all the leaks from faucets and plumbing pipes. Clean the drainage system all these areas are breeding sites for the crane flies.

Some other non-chemical preventative measures include: 

No lights for the mosquito hawks

Mosquito hawks are attracted to the lights at night time. Make sure the lights are turned off. If the lights are used the curtains should be drawn.

Dethatching the lawn

The muddy dense part of the solid gets pudgy for healthy growth of grass and plants. The decayed leaves and grass get moist and the plants are forced to grow over it, producing spongy plants. Thus the thatch must be removed for healthy grass to grow and to allow the soil and fertilizer to get air.

Aerating the lawn

Lawn aerating tools not only helps in thatching but also use lawn aerating tools to allow airflow to circulate through the soil, roots and turf.

Landscaping the lawn

The soil should be kept dry and should only be watered when required. Trim the grass short making it less difficult for leather jackets to hide. Applying nitrogen to the soil during summer it prevents or rather curtails the feeding of the leather jackets.

Assistance from mosquito hawk predators

Encourage sparrows and other kinds of birds to frequent your home since they will readily eat mosquito hawks and larvae if they find them when picking at soil. Bird feeders and birdbaths would be a great way to make your yard more inviting so birds can help control the crane fly larvae population. 

Key Takeaways

• Mosquito hawks are better known as crane flies and while relatively harmless as adults, their larvae is known to damage lawns.
• A broadcast treatment of Supreme IT insecticide on your lawn can help to kill mosquito hawk larvae and stop the damage.
• Prevention of mosquito hawks can be done by addressing moisture issues around your lawn and keeping up with regular lawn maintenance.