As annoying as they are, mosquitoes are an inevitable part of the warm summer months. Maryland’s subtropical climate provides the ideal living conditions for these insects, especially if you live near standing water.
Bug bites are an unavoidable part of being outdoors, but Maryland residents should be especially vigilant around mosquitoes. While rare, some mosquitoes in Maryland can carry deadly and dangerous diseases that can put your health at risk.
Therefore, it’s typically better to prevent mosquitoes from entering your property entirely than risk getting bitten. Mosquito prevention can also be accomplished using safe organic sprays from a trusted exterminator that can help you avoid chemical products like DEET or picaridin.
If you’re dealing with pesky mosquitoes this summer, try these eight prevention tips to stop mosquitoes from invading your property.
Why Mosquitoes Invade Your Property
Getting bitten by the occasional mosquito is unavoidable during summer, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. However, if you notice more mosquitoes than normal, you may be unknowingly providing the two things that attract them to your property: standing water and shelter.
Mosquitoes like to breed in standing water, which is why many homeowners with bird baths, kiddie pools, and clogged gutters may notice mosquitoes during the summer months.
Mosquitoes also prefer to seek shelter in places with high grass or debris, so if you haven’t cut your grass in a few weeks or have a lot of random debris or clutter on your property, these pests are more likely to want to stick around.
Additionally, living near streams, ponds, and lakes may also make your property more likely to attract mosquitoes without proper prevention barriers in place.
7 Effective Mosquito Prevention Strategies
Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with mosquitoes if you don’t want to. Here are eight mosquito prevention strategies to stop mosquitoes in their tracks.
1. Apply Mosquito Barrier Sprays
Mosquito yard sprays are a popular technique for killing mosquitoes and by far one of the most effective. This method involves spraying pesticides into a blower to carry the product and kill the mosquito population nearby. There are different products available that help repel mosquitoes and others that eliminate larvae.
However, we caution residents against applying pesticides on their own. First, improper application can harm the local environment and not work for its intended purposes. A trained exterminator can properly apply barrier sprays using safe tactics and products that ensure 100% efficacy.
2. Eliminate Standing Water Sources
Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water because they use it as their breeding grounds, so be sure to regularly empty any bird baths and kiddie pools on your property. Cleaning your gutters can also be effective at keeping these pests away and avoiding overwatering your outdoor plants.
Additionally, if you have a retention pond or any other large standing water on your property, be sure to treat them with flocculants and clean them regularly to prevent pests like mosquitoes from making them a home.
3. Maintain Landscaping and Yard Care
Overgrown grass and shrubbery give pests more places to hide, making your property more attractive to mosquitoes, as well as cockroaches, termites, and ants. Keep your grass cut short and be sure to practice proper lawn care in order to keep mosquitoes away this summer.
Some plants, such as water lilies and English Ivy, can also be attractive to mosquitoes, so consider replacing them with alternative ground cover.
4. Use Mosquito-Repellent Plants
On the other side, certain plants are said to repel mosquitoes and prevent them from swarming, and many homeowners choose to utilize these plants in their gardens during the summer months.
Growing eucalyptus, lemon balm, and marigolds have been shown to keep certain pests, like mosquitoes, away so try planting them this year for extra protection.
5. Install Screens and Protective Barriers
In terms of physical controls, mosquito screens can be effective for keeping mosquitoes away from a patio or gazebo area. These screens can be purchased at most home improvement stores and don’t usually require professional installation, making them a convenient solution for homeowners looking to keep mosquitoes away.
6. Essential Oils and Natural Repellents
Just like various types of plants, certain essential oils have shown some efficacy in stopping mosquitoes. Citronella, lavender, tea tree, and peppermint are just a few essential oils that can help keep these pests away this summer, but we caution against this method.
These oils must be continually applied, and little scientific evidence shows that they can keep mosquitoes at bay for long.
7. Professional Pest Control Services
When in doubt, it is always best to contact a professional exterminator to handle a pest infestation of any kind. A trusted and experienced exterminator will be able to assess the severity of the mosquito presence on your property and recommend a plan of action to get rid of mosquitoes while keeping you and your loved ones safe.
Pest Czar offers barrier sprays and larvacides designed to eliminate nearby mosquito populations while also protecting the local environment. For more information, contact us to learn more about our mosquito control services.
FAQs
Why are mosquitoes attracted to my yard?
The main reason mosquitoes may be attracted to your yard is to breed in your standing water. Things like bird baths and clogged gutters offer optimal conditions for these pests to breed, so be sure to address any standing water on your property if you notice a mosquito presence this summer.
How do I stop mosquitoes from breeding on my property?
To prevent mosquitoes from breeding on your property, one of the most effective things you can do is get rid of standing water. This includes emptying bird baths, cleaning your gutters, and removing any additional standing water on your property.
What plants help repel mosquitoes?
Certain plants are said to repel mosquitoes, including marigolds, lemon balm, eucalyptus, and lemon verbena.
Do citronella candles really work?
Citronella candles can be effective, but it is important to note that these candles are typically only effective in the immediate area where they are being burned.