When you are trying to enjoy the summer weather on your own property, mosquitoes can be a huge annoyance.It isn't relaxing to deal with itchy bites and the threat of disease.Use a few tips and tricks throughout the day to keep the mosquitoes out of your yard.Call a professional pest control company if you are having a hard time.
Step 1: The mosquitoes like to nest in tall vegetation.
Cut your shrubs and plants down so they don't have as many places to hang out in.Depending on how fast the grass grows, you may have to trim it back once a week.The vegetation around your home will draw mosquitoes closer to the entrances where they can slip inside.
Step 2: The mosquitoes are attracted to the light.
If you want to keep mosquitoes out of your yard, you should change your outdoor lights to yellow.Most garden supply stores have bug lights.The lights won't attract mosquitoes.
Step 3: Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so you can use that against them.
You can blow the mosquitoes away from your yard by putting a few box fans outside.If you have a deck, put the fans away from your seating area.As you relax outside this will blow them away.You don't have to keep your fans on all the time, just turn them on when you want to hang out outside.
Step 4: Mosquitoes use standing water to lay their eggs.
Turn over any objects that might be holding liquid and look around your yard.Your yard might look nice, but mosquitoes are a problem.Mosquito eggs can be found in puddles, watering cans, and even bottle caps.Talk to a professional about leveling out your land if you have a lot of standing water on your property.Standing water can be held bylogged gutters.
Step 5: You can't drain standing water in your yard.
You should drain and refill your wading pools at least once a week.If you notice that any of those areas are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, take them inside or get rid of them.If you have an inground pool, make sure it is treated with chlorine to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in it, and cover it with a tarp when you don't use it.
Step 6: Smoke isn't good for insects.
You can make your yard smell better by lighting a few candles.Any candle that produces smoke will work as a mosquito repelling candle.Candles give you and your guests a great look.It is a win-win.
Step 7: Mosquito traps can be effective, but they need some maintenance.
You can use sticky traps or fan traps to kill mosquitoes in your yard.If you use a trap, make sure to empty it frequently.Some traps use propane tanks.
Step 8: The bugs only target mosquitoes and mosquito eggs.
If there are areas in your yard that can't be drained, you can add some bti bits or dunks to kill any mosquitoes that try to breed there.Most garden supply stores carry bacillus thuringiensis israelensis.You can add BTI dunks to open water and have them float on the surface, or you can sprinkleBTI bits into gutter and other water collection areas.It is safe to use around aquatic plants and animals.
Step 9: You can use sprays, foggers, or aerosols.
Use foggers and aerosols to kill mosquitoes in the air, and use sprays to attack mosquitoes where they are laying eggs.Aerosols and sprays can be found at most department stores.Pyrethrin and pyrethroid sprays can be used to get rid of breeding grounds.Before using a product in your yard, make sure you read the label.Pyrethroid can be dangerous to bees and butterflies.It is possible to reduce harm by spraying your treatments just before dusk on clear days.
Step 10: Bats are opportunist feeders.
If you want to attract nocturnal hunters, you can build a bat house in your yard.Put your bat box in an open, sunny area of your yard at least 15 feet above the ground.When combined with other efforts, bats can help reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard.