Mosquitos are some of nature’s most prolific pests. They can turn a pleasant afternoon outside into an itchy bloodbath. Even worse, mosquitos may be spreading threatening diseases such as Zika, Dengue, and West Nile virus. According to the CDC, “West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.” So controlling mosquitoes in your yard and living space isn’t just smart–it’s healthier too. What are the best methods, then, for mosquito control?
5 Options for Mosquito Control for Your Yard
- Personal Repellant Spray. Utilizing a personal repellant spray containing DEET is proven to be effective at reducing bug bites of many varieties, including from mosquitoes. It’s recommended that you spray exposed skin anytime you plan to spend time outdoors when mosquitoes have been observed. Drawbacks to bug spray include the smell and consistency, and remembering to use your bug spray every time you are in your yard. Beware of bracelets or patches, as they aren’t as effective as a spray or lotion.
- Fans. Did you know there’s a chemical-free way to repel mosquitoes in your yard? Mosquitoes are very weak fliers, which means a strong breeze is usually enough to blow them off course. An outdoor fan can not only cool you off–it can also blow mosquitoes away from you. Try parking a box fan at ankle-to-knee level when you’re enjoying an evening outside, and you’ll prevent pesky mosquito bites
- Aromatics. Certain scents are proven to repel mosquitoes. Citronella candles, tiki torches, and any fire generating smoke will usually repel mosquitos in a small radius. You can also plant aromatics in your yard and garden to deter mosquitoes from the area for natural mosquito control. Plants you can try are basil, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, sage, or rosemary. Burn the leaves for an even more effective mosquito repellant.
- Butane Devices. There are various lanterns and handheld devices which use fuel and battery power to warm and diffuse repellant. The radius of protection varies, and you will have to continually refill or recharge to maintain mosquito control, which can be tedious and expensive, but this can be a great passive or mobile option. Try to avoid bug “zappers” or attractive lights, since they can kill or repel good insects necessary for pollination.
- Suppressant Spray. A professional pest control treatment is the most effective way to control mosquitoes in your yard. Suppressant mosquito spray is a more potent combination of repellent chemicals than you use in bug spray, and can even kill mosquitoes on contact and future prevention. Depending on the pest control service, you can see up to 12 weeks of mosquito control (your whole summer!).
If mosquitoes are already threatening to ruin your summer, don’t waste any more money on candles or grocery store yard sprays. It’s time to enlist professional pest control to keep your family comfortable and safe all summer long. Call today to talk to one of our experts and to get a free quote for our pest control services.