There is nothing quite like a summer night in your backyard. Cookouts, s’mores roasting over the fire, children laughing and playing– dreamy! But the mosquitoes. Those dreadful, blood-sucking, pesky bugs. Somehow, they can make the perfect evening unenjoyable. And if you get bit by one, expect to get bit by several. And while this can all be annoying, thinking about the diseases they can transmit will make you want to stay indoors should your yard become infested with them. West Nile, Yellow Fever, and Encephalitis are just a few of those diseases you have to worry about with mosquitoes. Mosquitoes multiply rapidly and are hard to keep away once they have claimed your backyard as their own. Here are a few tips to help you keep them away so you can enjoy the summer in your own oasis.
Tip #1: Hire a Professional
Tired of not being able to enjoy your patio or being out in your yard? We have the answer. We will come out and apply a barrier spray to rid your yard of mosquitoes and many other unwanted pests. The application needs to be done about every 3 or 4 weeks but works great. > LEARN MORE
Tip #2: Remove Standing or Stagnant Water
Mosquitoes love standing and stagnant water. One of the simplest ways to prevent a scourge of mosquitoes is walking around your yard to see if you have any stagnant or standing water. These puddled spots are where mosquitoes lay their eggs; by eliminating them, you can keep them from breeding and multiplying. You will want to dump or divert water in any bucket, sandbox, kiddie pool, garbage can, or pitted areas of your yard.
Tip #3: Keep Your Pool Clean
Regardless of the type of pool you have, it is important that you keep it clean and chlorinated. This will repel mosquitoes and prevent them from laying eggs in the water. Well-circulated water that is filtrated, in addition to a pool cover will help prevent chemicals from evaporating while keeping insects from taking a swim when you aren’t using your pool. Wading pools for children or pets need to be emptied regularly and the areas that surround the pool must be kept trimmed and free of dips that will allow water to pool.
Tip #4: Proper Drainage
Proper drainage needs to happen in places where rain collects or where your landscape accumulates water after you water your plants. Fill these areas with soil to help even out the space as much as you can, or use pvc pipe in addition to your gutters, to redirect the water away from your home.
Tip #5: Free Your Gutters of Debris
Leaves and other buildup can keep your gutters from functioning as they should. As these things collect, the system will be unable to drain. Hiring a professional to clean your gutters routinely is an easy, cost-effective way to keep your gutters free of debris and in turn, keep those mosquitoes away. Make sure that your downspouts are located in the right spots and maintained so that the water is directed away from your home. Consider installing an underground drainpipe to ensure water is dispersed in the right areas of your yard.
Tip #6: Maintain Your Lawn And Landscape
Overgrown grass and plants are great hiding places for mosquitoes when it is excessively hot. They provide a cool place to stay until the sun begins to set. Be sure to keep up with your weekly lawn care routine and keep shrubs and bushes trimmed.
Tip #7: Use Natural Mosquito Repellant
Natural mosquito repellents are a great way to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Citronella grass is a popular choice as it masks the scents that attract mosquitoes to humans. Other plants that have been effective at reducing or eliminating these pests and other insects are: peppermint, lavender, catnip, marigolds, rosemary, basil, and scented geraniums. Choose your favorites and plant a natural landscape addition to your backyard that will repel your summertime enemy.
Tip #8: Keep It Moving
Having a small pond in your backyard creates tranquility while adding beauty. Unfortunately, the combination of still water and overgrown vegetation makes the perfect home for mosquitoes. To avoid this, install an aerator or fountain to keep the water from becoming stagnant. You might also consider adding fish to your pond that are known to eat mosquito larvae. These include guppies, goldfish, and killifish. Be sure that your climate is ideal for these types of fish before you put them in the pond.
Tip #9: Swap Your Lightbulbs
Like most other insects, mosquitoes are attracted to the light given off by the standard lightbulb. Replace your outdoor bulbs with yellow lights that put off a light that is of a different wavelength— and not so appealing to bugs.
Contact Our Team at Green & Grow for more tips and tricks on how to keep the mosquitoes away. We offer mosquito control and prevention services so that your backyard can remain your favorite place to spend your summer nights.
Contact us (859-314-LAWN) for more information or a free instant quote!
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About Green & Grow
About Green & GrowGreen & Grow is a full-service lawn care company specializing in fertilization & weed control, aeration & seeding, insect control, and more!