Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water so it is important to drain and replace any puddles or pools around the house. Also, make sure to clean bird baths, vases and rainwater tanks regularly. With a Home Depot Money Saving Coupon from We Are Coupons you can save money on insect repellent and more and keep your home bug free.
3. Keep your pets indoors
As anyone who has ever been bitten by a mosquito knows, these pesky insects are more than just an inconvenience. In addition to their whining buzz and relentless search for blood, female mosquitoes carry some of the world's deadliest diseases. Mosquito bites are notoriously itchy and can last for days or weeks. Plus, they can transfer viruses like West Nile and Zika.
The good news is, you can reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard by reducing their breeding grounds. Mosquitoes require a body of water in order to breed, and they will lay eggs in any stagnant, non-chlorinated water, from natural ponds and swamps to the mud puddles under your porch.
In nature, mosquitoes breed in ponds, slow moving rivers, marshes, swamps and flood plains. However, they can also lay their eggs in items like troughs, dog bowls, flower pots, tire swings and empty plastic containers. Eliminating or reducing these areas in your yard will greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property.
Mosquitoes can also breed in small, dark places like hollow tree stumps and under bushes. You can reduce the number of mosquitoes in these spaces by trimming bushes and clearing away any debris. In addition, you can use fans to blow the air in these spaces. The movement of the air confuses mosquitoes and makes it difficult for them to fly or land.
Another great way to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home is to install a commercial mosquito barrier. These products, which come in spray bottles, foggers and pump sprays, contain EPA approved chemicals that repel mosquitoes and kill them on contact. Many of these products also work as a deterrent against mice and other pests, too.
4. Keep your yard trimmed
Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying, they can carry diseases and transmit dangerous viruses like the Zika and West Nile. While we do need mosquitoes for the ecosystem, they are still a danger to people and pets. If your yard is overrun with these pests, it’s time to start taking measures.
A healthy yard can help prevent mosquitoes and flies by keeping food waste and other trash from attracting them. Keep up with regular lawn care and trim your trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding spots for them. Also, make sure there is no stagnant water around your property. This includes pet drinking bowls, bird baths, vases, rainwater tanks, and even clogged gutters. Regularly empty and refill these containers to remove mosquito eggs and larvae.
Most mosquitoes lay their eggs in ponds, slow moving rivers, swamps, flood plains, mud puddles, and other similar bodies of water. While mosquito control can reduce mosquito populations in a larger area, draping a mosquito netting over yourself while sleeping can provide some protection if these measures aren’t enough.
Chemical repellents work quickly to stop mosquitoes and can be used around the house or near your skin, but they do wear off. They are most effective during the early morning and twilight hours when mosquitoes are most active.
Using an outdoor insect spray designed to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest is a tried and true method for controlling their population in your yard. Many pest control companies offer a one-time treatment for a large area of your yard or even your entire property, although you will likely need to repeat the process on a regular basis to maintain results.
5. Keep your home clean
Mosquitoes are a pest that can carry diseases such as malaria, dengue and yellow fever. They can also cause itching and a lot of discomfort when they bite. So it's important to do everything you can to keep mosquitoes and flies out of your home.
The most obvious way to prevent flies and mosquitoes is by keeping your home clean. This means putting away dirty dishes and trash, regularly vacuuming your floors, and disposing of rubbish properly. It also means washing clothing regularly, especially in warm weather, and wiping down surfaces inside and outside of the house.
It's also important to drain stagnant water in your yard to reduce the number of places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. This includes unused kiddie pools, tyres and discarded containers. It's also a good idea to drain and clean the water in pet bowls, bird baths and flower pots on a weekly basis. If you have a rainwater collection tank, make sure to empty it often and cover it during the time it's collecting water.
In nature, mosquitoes usually lay their eggs in ponds, slow moving rivers, swamps, mud puddles and other shallow bodies of water. But mosquitoes of the Aedes and Culex genus can also lay their eggs in containers such as bird baths, pet bowls, tyres and wheelbarrows.
To get rid of mosquitoes and flies, you can use an electric swatter, fly strips or a chemical insecticide spray. But if you want a more natural solution, try mixing a few drops of oil from the lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint or tea tree plant with water and pouring it into a spray bottle. This will create a repellent that can be used around the house.
