7 Effective Ways to Control Mosquitoes in Your Yard

Once the weather begins warming up, the number of mosquitoes in yard areas rises greatly.

Spring and summer are the seasons when more and more people are wanting to spend time outside, whether it's hanging out with friends at the local park or having a cookout in your backyard. The reason why you're there is of no consequence. These parasites know you're there, and they'll be bringing their friends alone to enjoy a nice dinner as well -- you.

Mosquito Control and Mosquito Prevention in Your Yard

Mosquito control methods have traditionally been focused on killing adult mosquitos with pesticides. This approach remains common, but there is a trend toward mosquito elimination methods that work by killing mosquitos before they become adults�or by preventing them from infesting an area at all. You can stop a mosquito problem before it ever begins by eliminating their access to standing water, which most mosquitos need to reproduce. This is known as "source reduction," and at a societal level it frequently involves digging shallow ditches in marshes to keep the water flowing and to connect the marsh to a pond or canal so that the water can drain, taking the mosquitoes with it, while also letting in fish who feed on mosquito larvae. The best way to prevent mosquito problems is to make the area around your home an undesirable place for them to live and reproduce. There are steps you can take to lessen the chances of mosquitoes outside your home.

1. Removing large concentrations of standing water in your yard. Things like bird baths or stagnant ponds.
2. If you have a pool, keep it clean and chlorinated.
3. Clean out your gutters: removing leaves and debris allows for water to drain properly.
4. Drill holes in the bottom of garbage cans or recycling bins to prevent water from accumulating within them.
5. Maintain your yard's landscaping to prevent areas where water may pool or puddle.
6. Repair any leaks around outdoor faucets and make sure there is no water coming into your basement.
7. Keep your yard clean of any garbage or debris that might collect rainwater and give mosquitoes a place to spawn.

 

"You can stop a mosquito problem before it ever begins by eliminating their access to standing water, which most mosquitoes need to reproduce."

-Rest Easy Pest Control

Mosquitoes can cause serious health problems because as they feed�by sucking blood from humans and other animals�they can transmit dangerous diseases. Unfortunately, mosquito elimination is not an easy task because mosquitoes come into homes from outside. Yard mosquito elimination isn't as simple as finding a nest and getting rid of it. However, homeowners can take action in their yards to reduce a mosquito problem. Since most mosquitoes breed in water, they all involve water control to reduce mosquitoes' breeding grounds.

DIY Methods vs Professional Pest Control

As you can see from these tips, standing water is the enemy. Therefore, the solution for mosquito elimination isn't that difficult�just keep the water moving! However, if you've done everything you can to eliminate mosquitoes' breeding grounds and you still have the problem, it's time to call a professional pest control service that can come to your property, evaluate the situation, and offer recommendations about how to keep mosquitoes from getting into your home and overrunning your yard. The one thing you should not do is ignore the problem, thinking that mosquitoes are simply a bother and not a serious problem. As the millions of sufferers of diseases such as malaria and yellow fever over human history can attest, mosquitoes are not to be taken lightly.

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IS THE LARGEST MOSQUITO IN THE U.S. DANGEROUS TO HUMANS?

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30,000 people in the United States have been infected by the West Nile virus since 1999, with more than a thousand of those infections being fatal. This demonstrates why protecting yourself is so important. Here are some methods to prevent mosquitoes:

• Mosquito Spray Repellents

One of the first lines of defense for many homeowners is the use of sprays to keep mosquitoes away. Many of these sprays are designed to be applied to a person's body and will more or less make the wearer invisible. These types of repellents are best utilized when you're gathered outside.

• Mosquito Misting Systems

Another route to take is to kill mosquitoes in yard areas instead of simply blocking them. A great way to do this is to install a misting system. These systems are similar to ones that you might see installed outside of a business to help keep patrons cool. Rather than spraying water, however, these units deliver an insecticide that is designed to kill the mosquitoes on contact. These systems have proven to be extremely successful, and enable you to set the days and times when the spraying occurs. This will make sure that your family isn't around when you're spraying. If you have pets or children, though, it is important to remember these set times to avoid accidental exposure. Mosquitoes can cause serious health problems. Unfortunately, mosquito elimination is not an easy task because mosquitoes come into homes from outside.

How Does Mosquito Spray Work?

Most spraying units that are meant to kill mosquitos are based on a misting system. You've probably seen misting systems set up on the outside of restaurants when it's warm outside. These contain water, with the intent of keeping patrons cool while they eat. A yard mosquito spray works in much the same way, except that the mist is made up of insecticide rather than water.

How Often Does Mosquito Spray Need to Run?

These systems are meant to work like a sprinkler system. You can set the times at which the system switches on and off, which means that you control the duration of the mist. If your mosquito problem is small, you may only need to spray for a few minutes a few times each week. For larger problems, a longer duration or higher frequency may be required. If in doubt, it is advisable that you consult a professional pest control company.

Is A Yard Mosquito Spray Dangerous to Your Household?

Obviously, these misting systems are designed to be as safe as possible. However, it is important to remember that poisons are being sprayed by these systems. If you have children or animals running around, exposure to these poisons is not safe. To lessen possible exposure, be sure to utilize the system when none of your household members -- including the furry ones -- will be near the area being treated.

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"These misting systems are designed to be as safe as possible. However, it is important to remember that poisons are being sprayed by these systems. If you have children or animals running around, exposure to these poisons is not safe."

Rest Easy Pest Control

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Is It Actually Effective?

The simple answer is yes. To be effective, however, you need to know your enemy. In large populations, you'll kill mosquitoes today, but more offspring are born tomorrow. This is why it is essential that you experiment with spraying times and durations in order to maximize the effect that these poisons have on your mosquito population. As previously stated, a pest control company can help coordinate this attack.

• Exterior Netting

If you have a large number of mosquitoes in yard areas around your home, it's imperative that you protect yourself and your loved ones from this menace. A solid plan is the use of a netting system. The concept is quite simple -- all you do is set up nets in outside areas around your home that are designed to keep the pests out. After all, if they can't get to you, they can't bite you, can they? And the wonderful thing about netting systems is the variety involved. Don't worry about putting up a net that is ugly and out of place. There are a huge number of styles available, and many of them will compliment your yard area. Some of them will even go so far as to enhance the look of your home.

• Natural Repellents

In recent years, there has been a big push to get away from the use of chemicals, whether it's the extermination of insects, cleaning our floors, or even making our air smell fresh and clean. When it comes to keeping mosquitoes away from you and your family, there are a variety of natural options. For example, if you're having a cookout, throw some sage or rosemary on the grill. Mosquitoes don't like that smell and will stay away. Other such disagreeable scents include catnip or tea tree oil, and raw garlic. Of course, if you're feeling adventurous, you could invest in some frogs or even try to attract bats to eat the mosquitoes. Repellents for mosquitoes are great, but as with many insects, there may come a time when you need to seek the help of an expert. Never be too proud to reach out for help. Pest control professionals are well-versed at handling all types of bugs, so if you're having a problem with mosquitoes, be sure to contact your local exterminator.***   Related Articles:  

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