Just picture this for a moment: It is a warm summer evening, and you have finally settled into your favorite spot in the garden. The sun is setting, casting a golden glow over your flowers, and you have a cool drink in hand. Everything seems perfect, right? Well, it is about to get ruined! Now, you are hearing that familiar, high-pitched whine. Before you know it, you are slapping your arms, legs, and neck, trying to fend off the tiny invaders.
Your peaceful evening quickly turns into a mosquito battleground, and you retreat indoors, only to find they have followed you inside. Sound familiar? This is pretty much one of the awful realities of the summer, and it is having to deal with these dangerous little pests. Basically, mosquitoes can turn the most tranquil summer moments into itchy, frustrating experiences.
But your summer does not have to get ruined. Here are some things you need to do to keep these pesky critters at bay and reclaim your summer:
They Are Not Just Annoying
You have to understand that there is a danger of having these pests in your home, technically, even around your garden. They are more than just a nuisance; they can pose serious health risks. These tiny insects are known vectors for several diseases, including West Nile virus, Zika virus, dengue fever, and malaria. Yes, you and your family can be at risk of getting these! Even in areas where these diseases are not common, mosquitoes can cause allergic reactions and significant discomfort with their bites; you just never really know what could happen from a mosquito bite.
Start By Eliminating Breeding Grounds
One of the most effective ways to control mosquitoes is to eliminate their breeding grounds. But how can you do something like that? Well, mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, so it is really important to remove or treat any standing water around your home and garden. Do you have a pond? How about a pool? Brirdpath? Fountain?
Well, they love all of these. So be sure to walk around your property and check for areas where water collects, such as clogged gutters, plant saucers, and old tires. You will need to empty and clean these containers regularly. For items that cannot be emptied, like ponds or water features, consider adding a pump or fountain to keep the water moving, or use mosquito dunks, which are safe for wildlife and effective in killing mosquito larvae.
Set Up Some Physical Barriers
When it comes to preventing mosquitos, honestly, you are going to have to use a whole range of things to keep them out of your house and garden. It is going to be drastically easier to keep them out of the house because there is a wide variety of things you can use, like a mosquito fogger, nets, screens, and the list can go on and on. But before you get out the chemicals like a fogger or bug spray, you should first focus on the physical barriers. Sometimes, that is all it takes.
So go ahead and install screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. But what about the outside? Well, if you have an outdoor living space, there are still a few options there, too. For example, you could consider using mosquito nets or mesh screens around patios, porches, and seating areas. Ideally, try to do this before spring starts so the chances of them getting into your living space are lowered.
Use Some Mosquito Traps
Some people say these are super helpful, while others think they are the worst. So it is really going to depend on the person and probably the product too. But, for the most part, mosquito traps can be a helpful addition to your mosquito control efforts. These traps attract mosquitoes using lights, heat, or carbon dioxide and then trap or kill them.
You are supposed to place traps around the perimeter of your garden and near sitting areas (in your outdoor living space) for maximum effectiveness. You are usually not supposed to put these indoors, so it is best not to do that.
Encourage Natural Predators
Mother Nature has her own way of controlling mosquito populations through natural predators. Did you know that cats, birds, dragonflies, and frogs are all mosquito-eaters? So, ideally, you’re going to want to encourage these creatures to visit your garden by creating a welcoming habitat. Go ahead and install birdhouses and bat boxes, and add a small pond or water feature to attract frogs and dragonflies. Just make sure the population of these in your lawn does not get out of control.
