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preventing-mosquitoes

6 Ways of Removing and Preventing Mosquitoes on Your Property

Mosquitoes are irksome pests that transmit more diseases than any other insect or animal worldwide. Every year, thousands of U.S. citizens contract mosquito-borne diseases, such as the West Nile virus. A few hundred die each year from the infection. Having a plan for preventing mosquitoes is one of the best ways to limit mosquito-related diseases and deaths.

However, it can be challenging to get rid of these pests. They multiply too fast and can fly around physical obstacles. So, you can’t stop them from flying into your home from the neighboring property. There are several ways to remove and minimize mosquitoes in your residence.

Dangers of Mosquitoes

The world has over 3,000 species of mosquitoes, and the U.S. has approximately 200 such categories. These flying pests can spread diseases to both humans and animals. Mosquito-transmitted diseases include malaria, West Nile virus, Zika virus, dengue, and chikungunya virus.

Even without transmitting diseases, mosquito bites can cause skin irritation. They make your skin itchy. If you start scratching, a red bump may develop on your skin. Even though this may not always be a serious issue, it can be bothersome to children, people with allergies, and subjects struggling with weak immune systems.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, where they go through a four-stage life cycle; egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The female mosquito sucks human blood to help in reproduction. On the other hand, the male feeds only on flower nectar and doesn’t bite humans.

So, how can you get rid of mosquitoes in your yard? Let’s consider five ways of removing and preventing mosquitoes on your property.

1. Use Mosquito Repellent

Mosquito repellents come in various forms, including spray, cream, aerosols, liquids, and solid sticks. You can apply some on your skin and clothing to keep mosquitoes off. However, the repellent wears off after a few hours, so you must keep reapplying.

As an alternative, you can also use natural repellents like citronella, lavender, and lemon eucalyptus oil. Citronella candles are insect repellants that work by masking the human scent. They release oil fumes into the air, making it hard for mosquitoes to locate the human scent.

2. Apply Insecticide

An insecticide is a chemical that kills adult mosquitoes. If you apply it to your yard, it can also kill mosquito eggs and larvae. The use of chemicals should be the last resort because they affect humans and other insects that may not be harmful. You might need to reapply insecticides for several weeks to eradicate mosquitoes.

3. Use Mosquito Traps

Mosquito traps come in various forms, which include electric and vacuum traps. These solutions use UV light and carbon dioxide to attract mosquitoes. Electric traps use electric currents to electrocute mosquitos, while vacuum traps suck mosquitos from within a few square feet.

4. Use Air Fans

Fans are effective ways of preventing mosquitoes from settling. Mosquitoes can’t move against a consistent air breeze, so they move away.

Moreover, fans help diffuse carbon dioxide that humans emit. Mosquitoes use this gas to trace humans and feed on. But the air breeze disperses the carbon dioxide, making it hard for mosquitoes to trace its source.

5. Use Natural Predators

Natural mosquito predators can help reduce the mosquito population. These include birds like Purple Martin, bats, dragonflies, and damselflies. Attract them to your property by providing a conducive habitat or food source.

If you have water bodies that attract mosquitoes, you can add fish like Gambusia Affinis. Fish predators can feed on mosquito eggs, larvae, and pupa. Hence, breaking the life cycle. However, you can’t rely on predators to eradicate all mosquitoes.

6. Eliminate Standing Water

After eliminating mosquitoes, you must take preventive actions to keep them from returning. Remember, these pests can easily migrate from neighboring properties and continue breeding in your backyard. Bearing that in mind, you can reduce the mosquito population significantly if you destroy their habitat.

Mosquitoes can lay 100 – 200 eggs in tiny pools of standing water. So, ensure your property doesn’t have stagnant water to prevent the laying of eggs. Plus, keep your backyard clean by removing any container or plastic bag that can hold rainwater.

Keep the grass short and remove tree leaves that pile up in the backyard and the gutters. Ensure there are no tree stumps or hollow trees on your property that can provide a breeding ground.

Seek Professional Mosquito Control Measures

Preventing mosquitoes may not be an easy task. If you’re constantly struggling with mosquitoes, it’s best to seek the services of a pest control company. McDonald Pest Control has a team of experienced professionals who can provide effective mosquito treatment. Call us today for professional pest control services.