Even the most avid animal lovers can quickly become aggravated by the armies of mosquitoes that arrive each summer. Not only are their bites itchy and painful, but through the act of biting, mosquitoes are able to transmit a number of infectious diseases to humans as well as our pets and livestock. In fact, a single mosquito is capable of causing more harm to humans than any other organism on the planet!
Here are some time-tested tips that can help prevent mosquitoes from becoming an issue in your house and around your property.
Can’t take the mosquito problem in your home one second longer? Contact Bug Commander Pest Control for a thorough, long-term solution that is precisely tailored to your home and the species of mosquitoes invading it.
1. Install or Repair Screens on Windows
To improve your home’s indoor air quality, it’s important to let it air out on a regular basis. However, this can lead to a mosquito home invasion without window screens to keep the pests out. If you don’t have any already, install mesh screens on your windows (as well as your front and back door, if applicable), so that you can let in some air without letting in bugs.
If you already have window screens and screen doors in place, you’ll eventually need to repair holes that form in the mesh, as well as gaps that can form at the edges of the screens.
2. Make Sure Your Yard Is Free of Standing Water
Mosquitoes lay their eggs on stagnant water, and a single mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs at a time. Just about any pool of water can quickly become a nursery for new mosquitoes, even an amount of water that would fit inside a bottle cap.
Inspect your property on a regular basis for standing water. If your yard regularly has puddles after rainfall or after the sprinklers run, it’s important to consult a landscaping expert so that you can install an adequate drainage solution.
3. Lighting Citronella Candles
Mosquitoes are naturally repelled by the scent of citronella. If you’re eating outdoors, take several citronella candles along, and light them by your feet and on top of the surface on which you’re eating to keep mosquitoes away from your arms, ankles, and feet.
4. Wear White or Light Colors
Unbeknownst to many people, mosquitoes are attracted by the carbon dioxide our bodies produce. What many people also don’t know is that darker clothes tend to trap more of that carbon dioxide than lighter clothes, which, in turn, makes a person in dark clothes more likely to attract mosquitoes.
5. Use an Outdoor Fan
As mentioned above, mosquitoes are attracted by the carbon dioxide we emit. When you’re sitting near a fan, whether it’s a ceiling fan on a porch or an outdoor oscillating fan, that air movement helps disperse the carbon dioxide that you’re creating, making you a less likely target for a hungry mosquito. In fact, a test conducted by Consumer Reports revealed that there were 45-65% fewer mosquito landings on people who sat near an oscillating pedestal fan.
6. Wear Insect Repellent
If you’re going to be outdoors and active, where a fan and citronella candle can’t help you, be sure to wear insect repellent. If conventional insect repellents irritate your skin or give you allergic symptoms, you can try herbal insect repellents that make use of essential oils to repel mosquitoes. Since it’s always a good idea to wear sunscreen outdoors, you can also wear a combination formula that acts as both sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Whether it’s a long-term mosquito solution for your home or a one-time mosquito control service prior to a special event, Bug Commander Pest Control can help you keep out unwanted “guests.” Contact us online or call at (214) 307-1933.