Do you get bitten up by different insects every time you sit in your backyard? Do you constantly have to move outdoor activities inside to get away from mosquitoes?
More than just a nuisance, mosquitoes also carry a host of illnesses that can make you (or your loved ones) very sick.
Wondering the best way to repel mosquitoes? In this post, we’ll reveal five expert tips on how to keep mosquitoes away from the house.
Read on to get one step closer to a bug-free existence.
1. Remove Standing Water
Mosquitoes love standing water–particularly water with leaves or trace amounts of bacteria. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, where the larvae hatch and spend their first 10 days of life.
The best way to keep mosquitoes away is to remove their breeding grounds. Kiddie pools, water toys, and wheelbarrows are notorious for hatching mosquitoes–even if there’s only a tiny amount of water present.
It’s also good practice to keep your gutters and drains clear, too, as water can pool around debris.
2. Keep Your Yard Neat and Trimmed
The other thing that attracts mosquitoes? Shade.
Of course, you don’t want to completely remove every shady spot in your yard. But keeping your grass, shrubs, and trees neatly trimmed will make your home much less appealing to those buzzing critters.
While you’re at it, inspect your lawn for any divots or low spots where water collect. If you find any, fill them in with topsoil and grass seed.
3. Invest in Outdoor Fans
Did you know that even one fan circulating air can reduce mosquito landings by up to 50%?
This works for two reasons. One, mosquitoes are weak flyers, so they naturally gravitate away from a breeze. The second reason is that a fan disperses the carbon dioxide we exhale–the gas mosquitoes are drawn to when they’re looking to feed.
Add a ceiling fan to your porch or patio or buy a battery-operated floor fan to use in your backyard.
4. Clean Your Ponds and Bird Baths
We already mentioned standing water, but here are two sources you may not have considered.
Garden ponds and bird baths are popular additions to landscaping. But they’re also perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
If you have a bird bath, replace the water at least once a week before mosquitoes can hatch. A fountain or water agitator will keep water circulating in your pond so mosquitoes won’t lay eggs in it.
5. Consider Mosquito Control
What if you’ve tried everything listed above and you still can’t get those pesky mosquitoes away?
Your best bet is to call in the experts for professional mosquito control services. They’ll check every nook and cranny of your property to identify those hidden areas where mosquitoes might breed.
They can then advise you on the best course of action to rid your home of mosquitoes once and for all.
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away from the House: Now You Know
When you live in the tropics, it’s impossible to avoid bugs altogether.
But by using the tips outlined above, you can drastically reduce the number of mosquitoes buzzing around your home.
Now that you know how to keep mosquitoes away from the house, are you ready to put a plan into action?
If you’re in the Tampa area, contact us today for a free evaluation of your property.