Like many insect species, mosquitoes go dormant in the winter. However, as the temperature warms up in spring and summer, they start to become active again, breeding and looking for warm-blooded hosts on which to feed. Professional mosquito control can help to curb or prevent an infestation, and there are other things you can do to keep them away from your property.

1. Clean Gutters and Drains

Gutters and drains are intended to carry excess water safely away from your house. However, if they are clogged, the water can collect and form puddles. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, and they don’t need very much. Keeping drains and gutters clean helps them to work effectively so you don’t have water collecting in hidden areas around your home.

2. Get Rid of Any Standing Water

When it comes to standing water on your property, it’s not just drains and gutters that you need to worry about. After a rainfall, water can collect in places that you might not think about, such as plant containers, kiddie pools and other toys, old tires, plastic sheeting, trash can lids, etc. Get rid of garbage and clutter such as old tires that may collect water. Put outdoor toys away after you are done using them. If you do find any collections of water, drain them immediately. Inspect outdoor water spigots to make sure they are not leaking. This is important because mature mosquitoes tend to stay in the area where they were born because they don’t have the ability to fly long distances.

Some homeowners like to collect rainwater to use for watering lawns and gardens. This is an eco-friendly idea that helps to prevent drinking water from being wasted. If you have a rain barrel, make sure that there is a screen over the top of it so that the water can get in but mosquitoes cannot get through to lay eggs.

3. Agitate Water Features

You may have water features in your yard such as ponds or birdbaths. You want to keep them for their decorative value, but you do not want them to become mosquito nurseries. Mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in water that is still and undisturbed. Moving water is not good for them, so you can add an element to your water features that agitates it so mosquitoes can’t lay their eggs. Birds like moving water, so this may actually help you attract more birds to your birdbath.

4. Keep Your Yard Well Maintained

If you have any dips or shallow depressions in your yard that form puddles when it rains, you may want to level them off with some fill dirt. In addition to cleaning and decluttering your yard, you should also keep the grass mown short and the shrubbery trimmed. Tall grass and overgrown shrubs can provide places for mosquitoes and other pests to make their homes.

5. Put Repellent Plants in Your Garden

Mosquitoes locate hosts partly by smell. Flowers and plants with a strong fragrance interfere with their ability to find food, so they don’t like to hang around them. Mint, rosemary, geraniums, and marigolds are all examples of plants that may help to keep mosquitoes away. They also beautify your yard, and some can be used for seasoning in various recipes.

6. Call Professional Mosquito Control for Prevention

You don’t have to wait until you have an infestation to call Truly Nolen for pest control in Kitchener. We can perform preventive treatments before mosquitoes on your property become a serious problem. Mosquito bites are miserable and can spoil an otherwise pleasant summer evening spent outside. Not only that, but they can also spread diseases such as West Nile Virus. Don’t wait until mosquitoes become active again to find out how we can help prevent them.