Sunshine, warmth, longer days, and family cookouts. All of these say spring is here, and summer is coming! One thing no one looks forward to is the pest known as mosquitos.The optimal method for controlling mosquitoes is to prevent the population eruption from ever happening. Mosquitos are not only annoying, but they can pose some pretty significant health risks as well. Again the key here is prevention. There is no need to spend your spring and summer holed up inside your home, nervously wielding a can of bug spray. Learn tips on how you can treat mosquitoes around your home and relinquish them for good.
Remove All Standing Water
Removing all standing water should be at the top of your “to-do” list. It is probably the most important thing you could do to keep the mosquito population down. Mosquitoes are attracted most to standing, still water. Shallow, stagnant water is the ideal place for mosquitoes to breed. Make sure to eliminate (or treat) any still water in your yard or around the home. Mosquitoes only need half an inch of water to breed. Treat these areas:
- Landscape ponds
- Lawn or yard ornaments with standing water features
- Buckets that accumulate rainwater or runoff
- Puddles
- Bird baths
- Ruts that hold standing water
- Edges of lakes or ponds where dirty water pools
- Clogged gutters and downspouts, leaving exposed, pooled water
- Plant bowl saucers
- Kids toys
For example, if you have a low spot in your yard that puddles frequently. You would want to build it up correctly for drainage and perhaps fill it in. If you live near a pond, work with your local municipality to keep the shoreline free of standing, shallow-pooled water
Other Ways To Prevent Mosquito Activity
Unfortunately, not all situations allow for the greener approach of eliminating stagnant water. In that case, you will want to treat those areas. Areas like drainage ponds, runoff drains, or some landscape features are designed to hold water. Although prevention is preferable, it is not always merely the case. In these circumstances, it is far better to treat these areas instead of letting an infestation of illness baring mosquitos to populate your lawn. Other methods to reduce mosquito activity can include:
Maintaining Your Grass: Mosquitoes like to rest in tall grass, plants, and shrubs. They often hide in tall grass during the daytime. Keep grass cut to a length of 5 inches or less to prevent mosquitoes from gathering there.
Acquire Mosquito Repelling Plants: As an organic and green way to deal with mosquitoes, there is no greener option than by using plants. Plants that the mosquitos do not like will help to reduce them but know that they will not eliminate them entirely.
Mosquito Repelling Plants Include:
Certain plants can deter mosquitoes from your property so you can enjoy your summer nights. These would include:
- Basil: Basil is not only useful in many recipes, but believe it or not it also works as an excellent mosquito repellant. It is easy to grow in most parts of the country.
- Lemon Balm: Note that it is considered invasive, so if you plant it you will need to keep it contained.
Inquire About Professional Mosquito Control
Green Machine lawn care has a successful program of 6 treatments per season to reduce mosquitos. Find a lawn care professional in your area and make a plan that works best for you and your yard. Our technicians are available to provide a free quote on all your lawn care needs. We serve Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe, Bucks, Montgomery Counties. Contact us today to get your free quote