It’s so nice to — slap! — sit in the backyard — whine, whine, slap! — and enjoy the warm Texas evening in North Dallas.
Whelp. Once again you lasted all of five minutes out there with those hordes of annoying mosquitos. But you want to be able to relax in your backyard so you’re probably asking yourself “how do I stop mosquitos?”
You’ve come to the right place. Check out these simple and effective tips to stop so many mosquitoes from invading your yard and crashing your party.
- Reddish Brown
- Long Oval Shaped Body
- Flat or Round Depending On If They’ve Fed
1. Mosquito Repellent Plants
Nature gifts you with an excellent way to both decorate your yard and encourage the mosquitoes to spend time elsewhere. Several beautiful plants give off a pleasant aroma that is not-so-pleasant for pests. Try incorporating these as part of your landscaping for a colorful mosquito-free backyard.
What kinds of plants are the best? Try planting cheerful yellow and orange marigolds in window boxes or flower beds. Pretty purple lavender plants give off a pleasant aroma that chases away mosquitoes and has the added benefit of helping you feel more relaxed. Dried lavender is often used in aromatherapy for this very purpose.
Aromatic lemongrass (which also makes a delicious tea) and other plants such as mint, catnip, and citronella are also great choices for mosquito repellent.
2. Don’t Leave Standing Water Around
Want to breed a new generation of mosquitoes? Leaving standing water lying around your yard is a great way to do it. Though not necessary for all mosquito reproduction, most female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. It only takes about a week for mosquitoes to mature from egg to adult so even just leaving standing water for a few days can mean you’ll have an infestation of Biblical proportions.
Keep in mind that water can collect in various places that you might not think about. Check the gutters to make sure water is draining properly. Clogged drains lead to pools of water in the gutters that make a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Don’t leave toys, trash can lids, wheelbarrows, and other items capable of holding water lying around. Walk your property and look for puddles or areas with poor drainage. Remember, mosquitoes are small, they don’t need much standing water to breed.
Do you like to watch the birds come and splash in your birdbath? Don’t forget that this is also standing water. Change it frequently to kill any developing mosquitoes.
3. Don’t Leave Debris Lying Around
In the same vein, don’t leave debris lying around in your yard. Piles of wood or damp soil can retain enough water for the mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Also, some species can use decaying logs or leaves as a breeding ground rather than just water, so make sure to clean up this organic matter as well.
Very shady yards tend to be more hospitable to mosquitoes and other pests. If you implement our tips and find that you still have a problem, you might consider trimming your trees a little. Lots of sunlight can help chase away these unwelcome visitors.
4. Light Candles
In addition to cleaning up your yard and changing up the landscaping, you can also use temporary tricks that annoy the mosquitoes. Candles are one such great idea. Not only do they fill the air with a pleasant scent but also they add a touch of atmosphere to your backyard barbecue.
If you’re in a large open area or it’s very windy, the candles might not work too well. But in a partially enclosed space like a patio, candles are the perfect touch.
There are various essential oils that mosquitoes don’t like, so don’t think you’re stuck with just the typical citronella candles. Look for candles made with:
- Rosemary
- Eucalyptus
- Cedarwood
- Lemongrass
- Clove
- Peppermint
- Geraniol
- Lavender
Alternatively, you can use an essential oil diffuser with any of these effective scents.
5. A Dish of Beer
As much as the human species might be attracted to beer, mosquitoes are repelled by it. In fact, they are quite the little teetotalers. Set a little dish of beer or any other type of alcohol out to keep the mosquitoes away from your party.
6. Coffee Grounds
Scientists are still unsure why this trick works, but for some reason, coffee grounds impede the growth of mosquito larvae.
This is a great trick to use in areas of standing water that you just can’t seem to get rid of. Each time you brew a pot of coffee, toss the grounds in moist areas of your yard where mosquitoes are likely to hang out to prevent them from proliferating.
7. Garlic Spray
Though garlic tastes delicious on soft Italian bread or mixed in with pasta, it isn’t so appreciated as a scent. Mosquitoes find it particularly unpleasant as a garlic spray kills them on impact. Thankfully, the smell, though strong, dissipates quickly.
It’s completely safe for kids and easy to make from simple ingredients. Simply crush or mince a clove of garlic and boil it in water. Then pour the garlic-infused water into a spray bottle and spritz it around your yard.
8. Spray the Yard with Professional Spray
These remedies and tricks should cut down considerably on the number of mosquitoes flitting about your yard. However, sometimes the big guns are necessary for the best outdoor experience.
Unfortunately, many professional sprays are full of chemicals. This may not be ideal, especially when you have kids and pets. Thankfully, there are other options.
We use effective, eco-friendly, botanically-based products that are safe for pets and people. Finally, you can enjoy a backyard party in North Dallas without all the slapping and itching.
Invited Guests Only
Next time you’re wondering how to keep those uninvited guests from crashing your party, keep us in mind. Our expert pest control services allow you to enjoy the great outdoors comfortably without relying on harmful chemicals.
Get in touch with us today at Buckaroo Pest Protection to start enjoying a pest-free experience!
