Your backyard can be a great place for kids to play and to entertain, except when there are mosquitoes. Nothing ruins time outside faster than being bitten by these pests. Of course, you can spray repellent on yourself, but a better solution is to do what you can to deter mosquitoes from making your yard their home. Here are some steps you can take to mosquito-proof your yard.
1. Plant Mosquito-Repelling Flowers
The most common and popular mosquito-repelling garden plant is the marigold. Lavender is also a great option along with many common herbs such as rosemary and basil. Citronella grass is one of the easiest to maintain and can fill a garden area quickly.
2. Eliminate Standing Water
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Even the smallest puddle can support larvae. If you have low areas in your garden, re-mulch or add some dirt. If you have a bird bath in your yard, be sure to empty it daily and refill with fresh water.
3. Invite Bats Into Your Yard
Bats eat thousands of mosquitoes every day. If you build a bat house, you’ll soon have these flying mosquito eliminators on your property. This may not be the best option if you live in a neighborhood or on a small property, but if you have several acres, you may want to consider this solution.
4. Keep Your Gutters Clean
Clean gutters eliminate standing water, which means mosquitoes don’t have the water they need for their larvae to grow. When it comes to pros and cons of rain gutter guards, this is one that’s often overlooked as a benefit.
5. Treat Wet Areas
There are products that kill mosquito larvae that you can use to treat small ponds, water features and pools. This is one solution that allows you to keep new colonies from forming.
6. Spray & Trap
Spraying may not be the most environmentally friendly way of ridding your yard of mosquitoes, but it’s quite effective. Many yard service companies offer spraying services and home improvement stores sell options for at-home use. Traps such as electric bug zappers are great to turn on when you’re actively trying to enjoy the outdoors.
7. Use Repellent Devices
Things like citronella candles, misting fans and ultrasonic sounds are options that work for many homeowners. Each comes with different warnings. Be cautious where you burn candles to avoid sparking a fire. Turn the misting fans off when you’re not outside so as not to end up with puddles that encourage mosquito colonies. Lastly, remember that ultrasonic sounds can also irritate household pets.
It’s unlikely that implementing just one of these tips will eliminate all mosquitoes, but using several methods will help cut down on the numbers in your yard. If you realize that much of your mosquito problem is eliminated once you clean your gutters, and you want a long-term solution to keep gutters clear, you’ll find that Gutter Helmet® stands out when it comes to gutter cap reviews. Homeowners who’ve installed Gutter Helmet on their home love all the benefits it brings. To learn more, give us a call at (800) 824-3772 or fill out our contact form and we’ll connect you with your local dealer so you can avoid cleaning your gutters ever again!
