Master Gardener: How to keep mosquitos away

Q: We spruced up our patio area ready to fully enjoy it last spring/summer, but we were besieged by little black mosquitos. Can you suggest something to get rid of these pests? I would like to spray the area, but I am afraid it might be harmful to our many birds and lizards that we fully enjoy.
A: There are over 50 species of mosquitos that inhabit California, but not all of these are disease vectors. Mosquitos from the genera Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles are the major troublemakers.
Adult mosqui