Mosquitoes are persistent little pests that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Despite their short lifecycle, females are capable of laying 100 eggs at a time, which can create a serious problem.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at how to get rid of mosquitoes once and for all.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
We’ve all been there, relaxing (or even sleeping) when we hear that telltale whine of a mosquito’s wings. Mosquitoes are inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst. They have the ability to carry infectious diseases. If you’ve discovered a mosquito problem in your yard or home, you may need the help of a professional mosquito control service to eliminate the problem.
Here’s how to get rid of mosquitoes.
Mosquito Prevention
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. If you can limit the number of mosquitoes in and around your home, you will have a smaller problem. Here are some of our top tips to prevent mosquitoes.
Think About Water
Mosquitoes thrive in water. Especially still and stagnant water. By removing or limiting their habitat, you make their proliferation far less likely. Mosquitoes don’t require swamps to breed. Any standing water will do.
If you have an outdoor area, be sure to purge it of all water that might be hospitable to mosquitoes. Things to consider could be things like rain barrels, blocked guttering, watering cans, and even a paddling pool.
Have You got a Pond?
Fish ponds are prime areas for mosquitoes to breed and hatch. Excess vegetation such as weeds and reeds can increase their numbers further, so be sure to keep your pond well-manicured. Certain species of fish love eating mosquito eggs and larvae. You could consider adding a few to your ponds.
Cover Up
With the above measures, you may still find that the occasional mosquito slips through the net. Your next strategy should be protection. If mosquitoes can’t land on exposed skin, then they can’t bite it.
Many species of mosquito are most prolific in the evening. If you are going to be sat outside for any significant period, it is well worth covering up. Try wearing a long-sleeved shirt or jersey, think about your legs and ankles too, trousers instead of shorts can be a great option.
Use Mosquito Repellent
Mosquito repellent can be really effective against mosquitoes and their bites.
While you may not be aware, mosquitoes tend to locate their victims using a sense of smell. It is thought that carbon dioxide emissions and body heat may also attract them. While we can’t limit the latter, we can control the former.
Repellent sprays and creams effectively disable the mosquito’s sense of smell. Some inhibit them from biting.
However, you need to be careful about which repellent you use. While DEET is effective in stopping the occasional bite, some worry about its effect on human health. On an unrelated note, it is important that you keep DEET away from any synthetic clothing and jewelry. It will eat through a pair of flip-flops or a watch strap in hours.
Think About Scents
If you want a kore natural solution, you could consider using other scents to prevent mosquitoes. One of the most well-known and effective is citronella. It is manufactured from a type of Asian grass, and as the name suggests, it smells strongly of lemon or citrus.
Citronella acts similarly to other insect repellents and prevents a mosquito from honing in on your smell. But be warned, if you have pets, the smell can be overpowering for them.
What Smells do Mosquitos Hate?
You could also try burning candles or heating oils with certain smells to get rid of mosquitoes.
As a general rule, they tend to avoid any smells that have a menthol or anise note. Here are some that you could try: –
- Clove
- Eucalyptus
- Lemongrass
- Lemon Oil
- Peppermint
- Cedarwood
- Anise
There is a theory that mosquitoes are attracted to other scents however, yes, this does include cologne, particularly those that have a floral smell…So, it is very much a case of trial and error.
How Do I Get Rid of Mosquitoes in My Home?
If you’ve dealt with the outdoor areas, there are a few things you can do to prevent mosquitoes in your home: –
Create Barriers
If the mosquitoes can’t get in, they can’t bite you. Effective barriers include making sure that your screens on windows and doors are intact with no holes.
Use Bug Spray
It’s time to get weaponized. Some over-the-counter bug sprays will kill a mosquito in a matter of seconds. However, they may not be effective over a long period of time. Also, they can tend to smell quite cloying, especially if you are trying to get to sleep at night!
Utilize Trap Systems
Traps might not work how you think. While some contain and kill mosquitoes outright, a more effective solution could be to allow mosquitoes to be captured and then escape…
In2Care Mosquito trap systems target all mosquitoes at both the adult and larval stages. They contain a biological ingredient that is carried by the trapped mosquito to contaminate and kill larvae in other sites around your home.
This system is entirely safe for pets and deals with the problem at the source. Over time it can greatly reduce and eliminate mosquitos around your home.
Call a Professional Pest Control Service
If you are struggling to get mosquitoes to ‘buzz off,’ an effective and quick solution is to call a reliable pest control company. They are experts in dealing with a whole manner of infestations and insects (yes, that does include mosquitoes).
They will quickly and efficiently assess the problem and provide you with a custom solution for your home. This could be installing a trap like the one mentioned above while also offering further advice on other techniques to prevent and limit mosquitoes.
Conclusion
Knowing how to get rid of mosquitoes can be a process of trial and error, and there are lots of factors to consider. The most time-efficient and effective way to deal with them is to contact a professional pest control service. Facility offers pest control services in many areas of California, including Malibu, Chatsworth, and Beverly Hills. Why not contact us for a free quote?