While it’s advisable to avoid spending time outside during mosquito season, it’s not as simple to achieve. Everyday activities like gardening, mowing, and washing the family car usually involve venturing outdoors, which puts you at risk of mosquito bites! Did you know that apart from causing welts on your skin, these pests can be vectors for West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, Lyme Disease, and even the Dengue virus? That’s why mosquito control by Mosquito Authority is so important, and you should consider it for the protection of your household.
You can use a few tried tactics to keep those buzzing pests out of your yard. Among them are these three tips that this article will discuss in detail.
- Get Rid Of Mosquito Breeding Grounds
Mosquitos breed in stagnant water, so make sure you get rid of any stagnated water around; This includes:
- Removing old buckets, tire swings, toys, pools, or dirty pool covers.
- If you have a drainage ditch in your yard, ensure no puddles or pools of standing water.
- Clear out any leaves or dirt that may be clogging your gutters, as these can provide a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Keep your yard free from weeds and long grasses, which can serve as a natural breeding ground.
- If you have a fish pond, mosquito-eating fish will help to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard.
- Mosquitos can enter your home through open doors and windows; make sure that the windows have an insect screen.
- Landscape with Mosquito Repellant Plants
When people think about repelling mosquitoes, they automatically think of DEET. However, a group of plants can help you keep the mosquito population down around your yard.
Many fragrant plant oils are effective mosquito repellents. Here are a couple of plants you can grow in your yard that can help keep mosquitoes away:
Lavender: It’s no secret that lavender has many incredible benefits. But did you know this popular and fragrant herb can double as a mosquito repellant? Lavender is a hardy plant with a great scent that has repellent properties against mosquitoes, house flies, fleas, and moths. Besides growing it in the yard, growing lavender in containers is easy and can be done on balconies or patios; the plant thrives well in the sunshine.
Lemongrass: If you’re lucky enough to have a lawn and live in an area where mosquitoes are common, why not plant lemongrass? Lemongrass has two significant benefits. It acts as a landscaping plant that improves the aesthetic appeal of your yard, as well as an excellent repellent that keeps mosquitos at bay.
Rosemary: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) serves many purposes. It can be used in cooking and as a medicinal herb. In addition to its tasty use in the kitchen, rosemary also has some pest-repelling properties that can benefit gardens.
Catnip: This is another plant you can add to your landscape may not be for aesthetics, but it’s repellent effects. Catnip, also known as catmint, is a member of the mint family, proven to be a good mosquito repellent. If you can stand sharing your backyard with this weed-like plant, it will keep mosquitoes away like crazy! It is so common that you may not even notice it sprouting in your garden until it starts taking over.
- Invest in a professional mosquito repellent spraying service
Although natural mosquito repellants are popular and offer many benefits, they can’t compare to the effectiveness of Professionally applied mosquito repellants. These methods protect your family from getting bitten and enjoy the outdoors without risks! These advanced products interrupt the mosquito’s reproduction cycle, totally removing your chance of dealing with mosquitoes throughout the summer and fall months.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the CDC recommend the following ingredients in Professionally applied mosquito repellents:
DEET: DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the most common insect repellent. It’s cheap and effective.
Picaridin: The newest component in mosquito sprays can be a DEET alternative. It’s also safe for children and pets.
lemon eucalyptus oil: A practical, natural product that has been proven to have comparable effectiveness to DEET in curbing mosquitoes.
The key to combating mosquitoes is understanding how they breed and behave. You can eliminate breeding grounds for these pesky insects by clearing out any stagnant water, overgrown weeds, or clogged gutters in your yard. Be sure to keep doors and windows closed when you’re outside so that the pesky little buggers don’t get inside! If natural repellents sound like a good idea, but if you want more protection than what plant oils offer, consider hiring a professional company to spray your property with EPA-approved mosquito-specific repellent products. Remember: prevention is the best measure against mosquitos!
