There’s only one drawback to having nice weather and warm nights in the summer: pests. It’s all fun and games until you have a swarm of hungry mosquitoes feasting on your guests during a backyard party. Mosquitoes can ruin a backyard barbecue like nothing else. You don’t have to worry about outdoor entertainment this summer. We went bug-hunting and came up with a list of simple ways to keep mosquitoes at bay.
What attracts mosquitoes to your yard?
Mosquitoes prefer damp, dark environments. Since they can breed there, they do best in locations with lots of shade and moisture.
Typical mosquito habitats:
- A hollow tree
- Long grass
- Beneath leaves
- Wherever there is standing water
Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Yard
Remove Sources of Standing Water
Mosquitoes can thrive in stagnant water. In order to eliminate mosquitoes, On Demand advises homeowners to remove all containers from their property and dispose of the water inside them. Even if your neighbors are the source, eliminating the breeding around your home will reduce your chances of being bitten. There are a number of places mosquitoes like to congregate in your yard: vases, water tanks, bird baths, and air conditioning drop pans.
Don’t Worry About Your Pond/Lake!
Many people believe that a backyard pond is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which is simply not true. Mosquito larvae can be found in the vegetation surrounding the pond, but the flying pests will not be found on the pond itself. Mosquitos prefer standing water that is no deeper than one foot.
Check Out Your Neighborhood
In this case, being nosy is actually beneficial to everyone. Consider contacting your local health department if a neighbor’s water is not being taken care of. Your county’s health department may be able to treat stagnant water, such as drainage ditches, retention ponds and abandoned and/or foreclosed house pools, with insecticide at no cost to you, depending on your county’s resources.
Use Larvicides
Use mosquito dunks in still water. These are small tablets containing a bacteria that kills mosquito larvae. Dunks are a good solution for potentially infested areas like fish pond, bird bath, and rain barrel due to the bacteria’s innocuity to humans, plants and animals.
How do I stop getting bitten by mosquitos?
Sunscreen before Insect Repellant
Put on your sunscreen and bug spray in that order if you’re going to be outside. When using insect repellent, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers suggests waiting 20 minutes for the sunscreen to fully penetrate the skin.
Try A Mosquito Net
This is a good option whether you’re going camping or staying in a place with screens or un-sealed cracks.
If the previous steps don’t work, call On Demand Pest Control.
Look For Products With DEET or Picaridin
We recommend using an EPA-registered spray, lotion, or liquid insect repellent that contains 25% to 30% DEET or 15% or more picaridin for skin application. You can verify the product’s EPA approval by checking the label. This ensures that the product provides up to two hours of complete protection.
Insect Repel Your Gear
Apply permethrin-containing insect repellent to clothing and equipment prior to going on a hike or fishing trip. Insect bites, including those from ticks, have been shown to be effectively prevented with these sprays.
If you have tried these steps and are still struggling with mosquitoes in your yard, keep reading on.
Get Help from On Demand Pest Control
On Demand Pest Control is a locally owned and operated company that provides outdoor pest repellent solutions for both residential and commercial properties in the area. Our Florida certified expert technicians provide safe and effective barrier spray treatments throughout Southeast and Southwest Florida. Click Here to learn more about how our mosquito treatments work.
