The pesky bites of a mosquito and the itch they leave behind is just one part of the problem. The diseases they carry and transmit to humans is also a reason why you want to eliminate them from your yard. Here are the top five ways you can keep mosquitos away from your home.
Dump any standing water.
Mosquitoes are attracted to water because it is where they lay their eggs. So, any form of standing water in your yard becomes a cesspool and breeding ground for mosquitoes. It’s always a good idea, at least once a week, and definitely after a large rainstorm to walk through your yard and get rid of any standing water that may have accumulated.
Good to Know
Essential oils are known to repel mosquitoes, specifically lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon
Make mosquito traps.
There are a host of natural ways to repel or kill mosquitoes. And, using a boiled sugar water mixture is one of them. You’ll want to boil one cup of sugar and one cup of water together for 3-5 minutes before removing it from the heat. Then add two cups of cold water. Let the mixture cool and poor it into plastic cups that you can place throughout your yard. Mosquitoes will be drawn to the sugar and get stuck when they land in the mixture.
Use essential oil diffusers.
Essential oils are known to repel mosquitoes, specifically lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon. Using a diffuser, you can emit the essential oil on your patio areas and in your backyard to keep mosquitoes away as much as possible. Likewise burning lavender candles outside is another way you can keep mosquitoes at bay as they detest the smell.
Burn coffee grounds.
Though this can be a very pungent smell, it works to repel mosquitoes. You can burn coffee grounds before an outdoor event and the lingering smell may keep mosquitoes away for up to 4 hours.
Plant natural repellants.
There are a host of plants that mosquitoes absolutely avoid, which include: lavender, lemongrass, basil, garlic, sage, and marigolds – to name a few. Planting these in your yard can help to dramatically reduce the number of pesky visitors you’ll see in the Spring and Summer months.
Call in the pros.
If your mosquito problem is too big to tackle with these more natural remedies, then consider reaching out to a pest expert to apply chemical treatments to eliminate them altogether. At Home Pros can connect you to a reputable pest management team like Terminix to help you reduce the mosquito population — so you can enjoy your yard without the bites.