How to Get Rid of Mosquitoesand Keep Them From Coming Back – Bob Vila

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No matter where you live, its likely youll encounter mosquitoes when the temperatures rise. Mosquitoes tend to flock to warm, wet conditions, and standing water offers a breeding ground for these pesky insects. And beyond their annoying buzzing and the itchy bites they leave behind, mosquitoes can pose serious health risks, so its essential to know how to get rid of mosquitoes when they wont leave the property. Luckily, there is a range of tactics to apply to both prevent them from infesting the yard and keep them from returning. And for those wary of using commercial chemical prevention methods, they can opt for natural repellents and dont even need mosquito spray for the house to eliminate the bugs. The following guide will provide step-by-step instructions for how to deter mosquitoes and suggest when its time to hire a professional if the infestation is out of control.

Time required: 1 to 2 hoursDifficulty: BeginnerEstimated cost: $50 to $500

Although it may be tempting to start lighting citronella candles and planting lavender, it helps to properly identify the insects as mosquitoes and determine what level of mosquito infestation is present. This will not only help residents learn how to repel mosquitoes but also come up with a mosquito solution.

First, its important to identify mosquitoes from other similar-looking insects such as crane flies or non-biting midges. Adult mosquitoes have one pair of wings, a humped back, a long biting organ that protrudes from its head, and scales on the veins of its wings. In contrast, crane flies have straighter abdomens with wings that rest farther away from their bodies, while non-biting midges lack the mosquitos distinctive long mouthpart.

Once its confirmed that mosquitoes are indeed present, the next step is to look for signs of a mosquito infestation, as the presence of an occasional mosquito doesnt necessarily mean theres a full-blown infestation that needs to be treated. Some common indicators that the bugs have infested the yard include a constant buzzing sound, spotting mosquitoes during the daytime and at night, frequent mosquito bites, and mosquitoes in shaded areas of the yard. If these signs are present and youre still struggling to figure out how to get rid of mosquitoes outside, DIY methods may not be enough and youll want to reach out to one of the best mosquito control services.

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Mosquitoes like to lay eggs in water with little to no flow, which is why standing water outside the home can lead to an infestation. Standing water can include anything from a small puddle to water inside a birdbath, trash container, inflatable pool, or outdoor toys. The first priority when figuring out how to get rid of mosquitoes in the backyard will be to eliminate any standing water on a regular basis. Not only will this lessen the presence of mosquitoes around the home, but it will also keep them from coming back.

About once a week, its recommended to do a walk-through of the yard and empty out any items holding water or cover containers without lids that could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Any open vents or plumbing pipes can also be covered with wire mesh with holes small enough to keep adult mosquitoes from getting through. It also helps to repair any cracks or gaps in the septic tank.

Gutters that are cluttered with debris, leaves, or residual water from recent storms can attract mosquitoes and lead to an infestation. Cleaning the gutters regularly or hiring one of the best gutter cleaning services to do so lessens the risk of inviting mosquitoes near the property. In some cases, it can be what makes mosquitoes go away and not come back.

Mosquitoes are drawn to cool, dark, damp places, and overgrown lawns can provide all three. Regular lawn maintenance such as mowing and trimming keeps adult mosquitoes from nesting and allows any standing water to dry more quickly from sun exposure. The better the grass is maintained, the less likely it is to create a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can multiply their population easily.

Its also wise to keep bushes trimmed and clean up any yard waste. Additionally, homeowners can consider using cedar mulch in their garden beds, as the cedar oils repel mosquitoes and the mulch can absorb excess moisture.

There are plenty of home remedies to get rid of mosquitoes for those who are wary of applying harsh chemicals or solutions that are dangerous to children or pets but are trying to figure out how to control mosquitoes. The following options are natural, low-risk ways to keep these insects at bay.

When natural methods just wont cut it, residents can try to ward off mosquitoes with pesticides. Commercial products that contain ingredients such as prallethrin, etofenprox, pyrethrins, permethrin, resmethrin, and sumithrin can be found at a local home improvement store and are often dispensed as ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays. Once the liquid is dispensed into the air, it turns into tiny aerosol droplets that kill mosquitoes on contact. If a resident does use commercial pesticides, its best to read the warning labels beforehand, as some ingredients should be kept away from children, pets, or pregnant women.

If the above steps still dont eliminate mosquitoes, it may be time to call a professional mosquito control company (some of the best pest control companies such as Orkin and Terminix may be able to help). These experts will be able to come up with a treatment plan thats tailored to the property and ensures the pesky bugs dont return. Professionals know how to most effectively apply treatments and fumigate for mosquitoes. Bringing in a pro is especially helpful for those who live in regions with high humidity where mosquitoes often run rampant and are harder to control. Plus, a company geared toward eliminating mosquitoes will likely be able to apply treatment multiple times throughout the season to ensure the yard is kept mosquito-free. Mosquito control costs range on average from $350 to $500. This can vary, however, depending on the size of the yard, the size of the infestation, and the type and frequency of the treatment.

The steps above can help residents not only identify the extent of a mosquito problem, but also help put measures in place to keep the nuisances away for good. Although most mosquito bites arent serious, some mosquitoes carry harmful viruses that lead to disease and illness in humans, so its wise to be cautious and handle a mosquito problem sooner rather than later.

Yes. Anything from blood type, sweat, beer consumption, and pregnancy can make some people more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Around 20 percent of humans are more attractive to mosquitoes than the rest.

Mosquitoes seem to like Type O blood the most and Type A blood the least. Additionally, 85 percent of people secrete biochemical markers through their skin that identifies their blood type, while 15 percent do not. Mosquitoes will be more attracted to the secretors, regardless of their blood type.

Mosquitoes hate the smells of lavender, tea tree oil, citronella, and lemon eucalyptus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing the bite with soap and water, applying an ice pack, and applying a paste of baking soda and water can help mosquito bites go away faster.

Yes, if the material is thin or tight-fitting enough, mosquitoes can bite through clothes.

Because direct sunlight can dehydrate them, mosquitoes are most active in the early morning hours before temperatures rise.

Professional mosquito control typically costs between $350 to $500 per season. DIY solutions, like homemade mosquito spray, can cost a few dollars.

You can follow the above steps to kill and repel mosquitoes. If mosquitoes are getting into the house at night while you sleep, a fan pointed at the bed can keep them from landing. Additionally, you can avoid strong-scented body products that may attract mosquitoes.

The average adult mosquito lifespan is 2 to 3 weeks. Females typically live longer than males.

Female mosquitoes bite humans and feed on blood. Male mosquitoes feed on flower nectar and do not bite humans.

Sources: Verywell Health, M and M Pest Control

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How to Get Rid of Mosquitoesand Keep Them From Coming Back - Bob Vila