The return of warm weather in the spring and summer means many wonderful things for Canadians. You have the opportunity to spend more time outdoors enjoying the fresh air and playing games and water sports. However, there is a downside to warm weather in that it brings the return of mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes typically live out their entire lives within a territory that ranges over only several miles, sometimes only several hundred feet. If mosquitoes are on your property, you are more likely to receive more bites. Mosquito pest control can help you to deal with those that are already present, but there are also things you can do to deter mosquitoes from your property.

1. Remove Standing Water

Because adult mosquitoes rarely stray far away from the place where they hatched from their eggs and went through their metamorphosis, one of the best ways to keep mosquitoes off your property is to prevent them from laying eggs there.

Mosquitoes have to lay their eggs in water. The larvae float around and eat algae and bacteria that grow there. Without water, mosquitoes have no place to lay their eggs. Therefore, you should remove any standing water that collects on your property.

Mosquitoes don’t need large quantities of water in which to lay eggs. A depth of one inch is sufficient. Water can collect in yard toys, old tires, and planters. You should remove clutter from your yard in which water could collect and empty any puddles or containers of standing water, no matter how small. You should also keep your gutters clean so water cannot pool there.

Some collections of standing water may serve a specific purpose. For example, you may have a rain barrel that you keep for purposes of irrigating your lawn, which helps to conserve drinking water. You can keep the rain barrel while preventing mosquitoes from using it to lay eggs by covering it with a mesh that is permeable enough to let water through but tight enough to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.

2. Set up a Natural Defense of Your Water Features

Other examples of standing water that serves a purpose on your property while potentially providing a harbourage for mosquitoes include decorative water features, such as fountains or ponds. You may be able to protect these features by adding fish to them. Not only does this make the water feature more decorative but certain species of fish, such as minnows or bluegills, are mosquitoes’ natural predators.

3. Change Your Outdoor Lighting

Many species of insects are attracted to bright lights, and mosquitoes are no exception. An outdoor light may be more or less attractive to mosquitoes based on its colour. For example, yellow light is less attractive than white light, so consider yellow bulbs for your outdoor lamps. Mosquitoes are also attracted to incandescent lights, so consider long-lasting LED bulbs for your outdoor lamps, which are also much more energy efficient.

4. Consider the Plants You Put in Your Garden or Around Your Yard

Mosquitoes don’t like plants that put off strong smells because such plants interfere with their ability to find food. Examples include basil, catnip, citronella, and lemongrass. Growing these plants strategically around your yard may help to keep mosquitoes away.

On the other hand, some plants can actually attract mosquitoes by collecting water. Whenever possible, you should try to plant native vegetation. Non-native plants that are not adapted to the environment of your yard may require more water, and the excess can provide mosquitoes with a place to lay their eggs.

Contact Truly Nolen for Mosquito Pest Control

Our technicians perform an inspection of your property to identify not only the pests but also the conditions that are contributing to the infestation. Using this information, we determine a course of action. Turn to Truly Nolen for pest removal services.