It’s the festive season, a good time to binge-watch Hallmark movies with family and rest. Unfortunately, this can be impossible to do if mosquitoes have invaded your home.
These insects are distressing because of their bites. Not to forget they carry diseases like malaria and the Zika virus. Let’s discuss how your home is attracting mosquitoes in the house. What are some control methods and prevention tips? What is the best solution to your mosquito problem?
Have mosquitoes taken over your house? Here’s why.
Mosquitoes go through four life phases. To get to the final stage, an adult mosquito requires standing water. Your home likely has the ideal breeding ground for these insects to lay their eggs.
These include:
If you are experiencing a mosquito invasion, it’s because you have made it easy for these annoying insects to get into the house. , Mosquitoes will enter through window screen gaps and open doors and windows.
Here are several DIY methods for reducing the mosquito population in your home.
Using insect repellent can help reduce mosquitoes in the house. We recommend using about 30 to 50 percent DEET. Its effects will last for about twelve hours, offering enough protection from mosquito bites. If you have concerns about its safety, it comes as a relief to learn that the EPA 2014 review found it safe for adults and children above two months.
Camphor is yet another effective repellent. You could light it up for about twenty minutes. Ensure you shut all doors and windows and that everyone’s outside. You could place camphor tablets all over the house to evaporate. We don’t recommend doing this if you have pets or children.
Studies have found that Tulsi, an ayurvedic herb, is also a natural mosquito repellent, all thanks to its clove-like scent. Consider setting up pots on windowsills or around your home.
Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide humans exhale. Dry ice releases carbon dioxide, making it an ideal trap. You only need to place it in an open container, and once mosquitoes gather in this container, close it and dispose of it carefully.
Garlic’s larvicidal properties and strong scent make it excellent for repelling mosquitoes in the house. Crush a few cloves and put them in water to boil. Afterward, place the solution in a spray bottle and spray it all over your home. When ingested, this garlic solution kills mosquitoes immediately.
Most people wonder if mosquito traps can help eliminate mosquitoes in the house. The answer is yes. Moreover, research shows that they are a cost-effective option, making them a great alternative.
These LED light traps have a specific wavelength that attracts mosquitoes to the lamp. The electric current then zaps these insects, killing them. It’s worth noting that this process takes time, as mosquitoes are more attracted to the CO2 from you than they are to the light.
A 2015 study on the Aedes albopictus, a dengue vector, found that high concentration coffee extracts were effective repellents. What’s more, the coffee grounds’ prevented the embryo development of mosquito eggs. Sprinkling coffee grounds on standing water around your home will suffocate eggs, preventing them from reaching the adult stage.
While DEET is the most effective insect repellent on this list, researchers have also found that essential oils offer a specific protection level. Immo Hansen and his colleagues from New Mexico State University analyzed 21 oils. They discovered that spearmint, peppermint, cinnamon, garlic, and lemongrass were effective repellents, but only up to the ninety-minute mark.
The CDC recommends taking the following steps to tame your mosquito problem.
Remove standing water that allows mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
Use an EPA-approved insecticide in areas where mosquitoes rest. These include garage and patio furniture. Ensure you always follow instructions.
Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home
Replace water in:
Kill mosquitoes
Use safe insecticides to get rid of mosquitoes inside your home—areas to pay attention to, include beneath sinks and furniture, and around items that hold water.
DIY approaches are usually practical if it’s a mild mosquito problem. However, calling professional pest control services is the most sensible solution.
Remember, some mosquitoes are disease carriers, and you wouldn’t want you or your family members falling sick. McDonald Pest Control offers rigorous elimination services that will help prevent re-infestation. Call us today to schedule a free home visit.
