Mosquitoes have two primary missions in life: find food and reproduce. Unfortunately for us, their food of choice is blood which often results in receiving painful and itchy bites. As summer quickly approaches, take some time to consider how you can eliminate mosquitoes from your yard to keep the outdoors a pleasant an inviting place all summer long so you and your family don’t become food for these pesky creatures.
Mosquitoes Need Water
Mosquitoes can reproduce at a rapid pace. One female can lay up to 200 eggs after each blood meal. They have many blood meals during their lifetime, resulting in a massive amount of offspring if left unchecked. In order to reproduce, however, mosquitoes need water. They lay their eggs in water and develop through their first three life stages before emerging into the air as adults. In order to cut off the life cycle of mosquitoes, you will want to reduce the mosquitoes’ access to standing water on your property:
- Each week, drain and clean any containers that may accumulate water such as bird baths, flower pots, buckets or bird houses.
- Keep water storage containers tightly sealed or covered with a mesh wire that is smaller than the size of an adult mosquito.
- Use mosquito dunks that seep poison into any water that cannot be drained away. Make sure this water is not drinking water for people or animals.
- Ensure that septic tanks have no leaks and any open vents or pipes are covered with wire mesh smaller than an adult mosquito.
Repelling Mosquitoes
Once you have reduced the amount of access to standing water on your property, you can think about methods to repel mosquitoes from seeking food sources around your home.
- Some plants have been shown to repel mosquitoes. Consider planting citronella, lemongrass, marigolds, mint or lavender near high traffic areas or places where people often congregate. This can help keep mosquitoes from getting near your loved ones.
- Consider installing a bug zapper or mosquito trapper on the outskirts of your property. This will draw mosquitoes and other flying bugs away from gathering places near your home.
- Light citronella candles or other repellent devices when spending time outdoors, especially in the early morning or early evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.
- Spray an insecticide formulated for mosquitoes around your yard and the foundation of your home. When a mosquito lands on an area that has been sprayed, it will be killed instantly, keeping it from continuing its life cycle.
What if I Still Have a Problem?
If you have been unable to eliminate mosquitoes from your yard on your own, it may be time to call a professional mosquito control company. At Abarb Pest Services, we recommend starting treatment for mosquitoes at the very beginning of the season in May. With one treatment each month through September, our experts keep your home mosquito-free all summer long. Using an organic spray that targets mosquitoes and ticks, our treatments are safe for your family and the environment. Contact us today for a free quote to see if your treatments are right for your family.
