How to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Your Yard
Mosquitoes are a perennial nuisance. It seems like no matter where in the United States you live they come out in droves every year to ruin your summer. Here in Alabama, our hot and humid summers ensure that mosquitoes will be a problem every year.
Not only are mosquitoes annoying, they are one of the deadliest animals on earth. Their bite is not just itchy but can transfer a number of diseases like the Zika virus, West Nile, Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Dengue.
If you take just a few precautions, you can significantly reduce the mosquito population in your backyard, which can help keep you and your family happy, safe, and itch free. Here are our top ways for Alabamans to keep mosquitoes away from your yard.
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Work with a pest control professional.
Pest control services offer professional advice and help clearing your home and yard from all unwanted visitors, including mosquitoes. While it is impossible to get rid of mosquitoes completely, these services can offer solutions that will greatly reduce the number of bugs in your yard. If you live in the greater Huntsville area, including all of Limestone and Madison counties, we recommend contacting Scout Pest Control.
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Remove all standing water from your yard (and ask your neighbors to do the same).
Mosquitoes breed and lay their eggs in stagnant water, so the best way to ensure that they will not be in your yard is to keep them from hatching in that location. You need to be vigilant in this step. Even something small like a bottle cap full of water can be a breeding spot. Mosquitoes can not fly far, so if they cannot hatch in your backyard, they will be much less likely to terrorize you during the summer.
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Buy and use repellents.
Today there are a wide variety of bug and mosquito-specific repellents for you to use. From conventional to organic, body cream to candles and electric bug zappers, there is something for everyone.
On the traditional repellent side, anything with DEET will provide an effective deterrent. However, if you want a more natural mosquito repellent try citronella (in oil or candle form), lavender scented things, or plants known for their mosquito repelling properties (feverfew, citronella, catnip, rosemary, garlic, and –of course–lavender).
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Set up bat houses
Alabama has 16 different bat species, all of which eat insects including mosquitoes. In fact, one brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes an hour–and those are one of the smallest species of bat in the state! It’s no surprise, then, that bats are one of the most effective ways of controlling the mosquito population in your yard.
You don’t want bats to set up shop in your attic, however. So, purchasing (or making) a bat house (a wooden box that bats can nest in) can help attack them to your yard without becoming pests themselves.
Conclusion
Mosquitoes can be a major nuisance during Alabama summers. It is essential for your comfort as well as your well-being that you keep them under control. By following our top four ways to keep mosquitoes out of your yard, you can enjoy the summer in peace. And remember, if the mosquitoes get out of control near you, and you live in Northern Alabama, call Scout Pest Control today.
