You’re outside enjoying your yard and suddenly, BAM! You’re bitten by a mosquito. Or five. It’s enough to make you want to take off all your clothes and dive into a pool of DEET.
But if you can keep the pests out with these simple tips, you’ll be able to have fun without getting eaten alive!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, warmth, and carbon dioxide. |
| Eliminating standing water is key to preventing mosquitoes from breeding in your yard. |
| Essential oils like citronella and peppermint, mosquito-repelling plants, and mosquito netting can all help repel mosquitoes naturally. |
| Mosquito control services use insecticides and larvicides to eliminate adult mosquitoes and prevent their larvae from developing. |
| Mosquito bites can be dangerous if the mosquito is carrying a disease, so it’s important to take steps to prevent bites. |
Use Mosquito Repellent Spray
The next thing you can do to keep mosquitoes at bay is to find a DEET-free repellent spray. You can purchase these sprays at most stores and apply them directly to your clothing, shoes and hat. If you have gloves, you should also apply the repellent there as well.
The goal is not only to keep mosquitoes away but also prevent exposure to the chemical DEET which has been banned by some countries due its negative health effects.
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Set Up A Bat House
If you’re looking for a way to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, consider setting up a bat house.
Bats are voracious eaters of insects and other pests, including mosquitoes. They find their food by echolocation—a natural ability that allows them to navigate and hunt without sight.
Bats are also harmless to humans and play an important role in the environment as natural pest control agents.
Bat houses help these amazing creatures find a place to live, which helps them thrive in our area!
Spray Citrus Extract Spray
Citronella oil is one of the most effective natural mosquito repellents. When you’re outdoors, you can spray it on your clothes and skin to keep mosquitos away from you.
It works by masking the scents that mosquitoes are attracted to: carbon dioxide, lactic acid (from perspiration), blood type proteins, and even body heat.
It also has a strong smell that’s less appealing than those other scents in some ways—so mosquitos will stay away from it instead of looking for a meal!
While citronella oil won’t kill or repel all types of mosquitoes, it does have its benefits:
- It’s cheap! You can find this stuff at almost any store where they sell gardening supplies or pest control products.
- You can use it indoors or out it doesn’t matter where you apply it as long as there aren’t any winds blowing around while you’re trying not to get bitten by bugs!
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Spray Herbicide
Herbicides are chemicals that kill weeds, and you can apply them to your lawn in a number of ways.
These chemicals are usually applied as granules, liquid or powder on your grass. Herbicides kill plants by disrupting specific biochemical processes in the leaves of the plant.
They work best when sprayed directly on the leaf surface or when it’s wet from rain or dew.
If you’re looking to use herbicides in your yard, be aware that they can be toxic to humans and animals if not used properly.
Use Mosquito Dunks
If you’re looking to keep mosquitoes out of your yard, there’s no better way than by using mosquito dunks.
Mosquito dunks are a type of mosquito larvae control product that contains Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), which is a naturally occurring bacteria that kills mosquito larvae.
There are several advantages to using mosquito dunks as opposed to other types of insecticides:
- They’re safe for humans and pets alike.
- The Bti in the product doesn’t harm beneficial insects like bees or butterflies.
- The bacteria does not persist after being applied, so it won’t harm your plants when dissolved in water and sprayed on them as part of an integrated pest management plan.
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Remove Standing Water
One of the best ways to prevent mosquitoes from being attracted to your yard is by eliminating standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so it’s important to keep rain barrels covered, remove any accumulated debris from gutters after a rainstorm and clean out overflow drains regularly.
In addition, make sure that you have no car tires lying around outside—they can fill with water easily and become an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes!
If you do have a clogged gutter or drainpipe on your house or property, consider calling a professional drain cleaning service (like Earls Drains) who will be able to get rid of the blockage quickly and efficiently and without splashing dirty water all over your front lawn!
Use Mosquito Netting Over Porch Windows
Mosquito netting is a great alternative to chemical sprays, and it can be easily removed when not in use. You can buy mosquito netting at hardware stores or online.
To install your mosquito netting on the front door, simply place the screen over the doorway and secure it with hooks or tape.
For added protection, you can also hang the screen over windows by attaching them to curtain rods with clothespins or binder clips.
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Keep Your Grass Cut
Keep your grass cut. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so if you have a lot of grass, it’s important to keep it trimmed regularly. If possible, keep your lawn at a height of no more than two inches.
During the summer months, mosquitoes are most active in the morning and evening when temperatures are cooler so you should also consider cutting your lawn at these times as well.
Remove clippings from your yard after each mowing session. Grass clippings provide an excellent food source for mosquito larvae so make sure they’re not left lying around or collecting in flower beds
Keep Gutters Clear Of Debris
If you don’t keep your gutters clear of debris, mosquitoes will be attracted to them. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
It is important to have your gutters cleaned regularly so that water can flow freely from the roof without being slowed down by leaves or other debris.
If there are large amounts of debris in your gutter, it could cause clogs and leaks that will allow mosquitoes to breed in the standing water at the base of your home.
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Trim Bushes and Trees To Let Sunlight In
To prevent mosquitoes from breeding and resting, you should trim bushes and trees to let sunlight in.
This will also help keep grass cut short, which makes it easier to get rid of any standing water that may be present.
Also consider adding an additional layer of mulch around your home and garden beds. Mulch can help keep moisture levels low, making it less likely for pests like mosquitoes and other insects to thrive there.
Install A Birdhouse And/Or Birdbath
The second way to keep mosquitoes away from your front yard is to install a birdhouse and/or birdbath. A birdbath is a more effective deterrent than a traditional birdhouse, because it attracts birds that eat mosquitoes.
As you may know, mosquitoes are drawn to stagnant water and lay their eggs in it (this includes standing water in rain gutters), so using an empty birdbath as an alternative keeps them away from your property completely.
Since the water doesn’t have to be changed every day or so like with regular baths, this method is more cost-effective as well!
If you aren’t able to find one that’s already on sale at your local hardware store or pet store, there are lots of options available online through Amazon just search for “bird bath” and choose whichever size works best for your yard space.
You’ll want something big enough so there’s always some water left over after each filling cycle too (and make sure it has drainage holes).
If possible though I’d recommend getting one with some sort of fountain feature as well – not only does this attract birds but also gives off oxygen which helps keep mosquitoes away!
Conclusion
The best way to kill a mosquito is to keep your yard free of standing water. The easiest way to do this is by keeping the grass cut and trimming bushes and trees so there isn’t any shelter for mosquitoes to lay eggs in them.
You can also get rid of adult mosquitoes with an insecticide spray or even just a citronella candle!
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about getting rid of mosquitoes in your yard, check out these helpful resources:
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Yard: This guide from Lawn Love provides tips on how to eliminate mosquitoes from your yard and prevent them from coming back.
How to Rid Your Yard of Mosquitoes: Popular Mechanics offers a comprehensive guide on how to get rid of mosquitoes from your yard, including tips on how to prevent them from breeding in standing water.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes: This guide from NG Pest Control provides tips on how to eliminate mosquitoes from your home and yard using natural and chemical methods.
FAQs
What attracts mosquitoes to my yard?
Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, warmth, and the carbon dioxide we exhale. They are also attracted to dark colors, so wearing light-colored clothing can help prevent mosquito bites.
How can I prevent mosquitoes from breeding in my yard?
Eliminating standing water is key to preventing mosquitoes from breeding in your yard. Be sure to empty any containers that can collect water, such as flower pots, bird baths, and trash cans.
What are some natural ways to repel mosquitoes?
Some natural ways to repel mosquitoes include using essential oils like citronella and peppermint, planting mosquito-repelling plants like lavender and lemongrass, and using mosquito netting over outdoor seating areas.
How do mosquito control services work?
Mosquito control services typically use a combination of insecticides and larvicides to eliminate adult mosquitoes and prevent their larvae from developing in standing water. Some services also offer misting systems or fogging treatments to control mosquito populations.
Are mosquito bites dangerous?
Mosquito bites can be dangerous if the mosquito is carrying a disease like West Nile virus or Zika virus. To reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, it’s important to take steps to prevent mosquito bites, such as using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants.
I am Hellen James, a landscape architect. For many years I have written about landscaping for various publications; however, recently decided to focus my writing on personal experience as a profession.
