Ah, yes, it’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, wildflowers are sprinkled throughout open fields, trees are vibrant green… and the mosquitoes are out and back with a vengeance. Ugh!
It can be difficult to enjoy the beauty and joy of summer with these pesky pets constantly buzzing around. If you’re hoping to enjoy time in your yard this summer, you probably want to know how to keep mosquitoes away—the experts at Plunkett’s are here to tell you how.
Long story short: mosquitoes are attracted to standing water because it’s where they lay eggs. The more standing water they can access, the faster they can multiply and spread out. And you know what they say: mo’ squitoes, mo’ problems. The task of keeping mosquitoes away boils down to controlling excess moisture around your yard as much as possible.
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away
If you’re wondering what keeps mosquitoes away, you’ve come to the right place. The experts at Plunkett’s know how to keep mosquitoes away from yards, how to keep mosquitoes away from patios, and how to keep mosquitoes away from YOU. And we’re here to share our tips. Here are our best tips for keeping mosquitoes away:
1. Maintain Drainage
Your home’s outdoor drainage system is supposed to catch and direct water away from your home. If you discover moisture pooling up or collecting near you, then it isn’t doing its job.
To find out why, check on your gutters, downspouts, storm drains, and sump pump to make sure they’re all working. Look for any sunken or wet spots in your lawn and try to figure out what’s creating the moisture. Make sure your lawn is graded so water slides away from it rather than just building up around or in it.
2. Fix Leaks
Plumbing leaks are common both inside and outside of homes. Unfortunately, even small leaks waste a surprising amount of water. According to the EPA, the average household wastes 10,000 gallons of water every year!
In addition to a waste of water and money, plumbing leaks attract mosquitoes. Start by checking your outdoor plumbing fixtures for leaks. Look around your water main, hoses, and spouts. If you see even a little dripping, then you have a plumbing leak that needs to be addressed.
3. Clean out Your Garbage Cans and Dumpsters Regularly
Garbage rots, breaks down, and even ferments. Bottles and cans contain the beverage remnants. Nasty residue builds up at the bottom of your cans and dumpster over time. Most pests love dumpster diving for food and water (including mosquitoes). They’ll exploit your dumpsters for as long as you let them.
Clean out your garbage cans and dumpsters regularly, store all garbage in sealed, airtight containers, rinse out any food and beverage containers before you throw them out, and make sure you empty out your dumpster at least once a week.
Being disciplined about your garbage habits isn’t just a great way to control mosquitoes, it’ll help keep all kinds of pests away.
4. Promote Water Circulation
Mosquitoes mate and lay their eggs in standing water. So… what is standing water? Standing water is any water that doesn't have a current flowing through it—like swamps and puddles,for example.
If you have still, standing water around your home, mosquitoes will flock to it and start reproducing… fast.
Mosquitoes will even use bird baths to lay eggs. If you have water features on your property, find a way to keep the water moving. You should also look for and fix any sites where puddles naturally accumulate, such as low places or potholes.
5. Reduce Shade
Mosquitoes gravitate toward shady, overgrown environments where they can hide and wait for prey. This is partially because mosquitoes can overheat! They grow faster in hot temps, but once they’ve hatched, they need shade to stay active. If they can find shade in or around your yard, that’s where they’ll set up shop!
To battle this, mow your lawn frequently, especially during the late spring and early summer. Trim your bushes and ornamental plants regularly, too—space them out the best you can! The more open and brighter your lawn, the less accessible it’ll be to mosquitoes. In fact, this goes for most pests.
6. Encourage Air Movement
Just like stagnant water, stagnant air also draws in mosquitoes. Still air is easier to move through, warmer, thicker, and often more humid.
To boost air movement, install and maintain screens on all your windows. Whenever it’s nice (and cool) out, open your windows to let a cross-breeze blow through your home. All of that moving air will make your home far less enticing to mosquitoes. You should use fans frequently, too, even if your AC is on. Outside, try to block natural breezes as little as possible.
Get and Keep Mosquitoes Away from Your House… For Good!
Mosquitoes can feel like a type of “summer tax.” But no matter how unavoidable they are this summer, they shouldn’t be unavoidable in or around your home. If you can implement the tips above, you’ll have a good chance of keeping them away.
If you’re struggling with a mosquito problem in or around your house that you just can’t shake, contact Plunkett’s today! Our mosquito control experts can ensure no more mosquito problems for you!
