Mosquitoes are among the most annoying of garden pests. They deliver vicious bites without the slightest provocation, and destroy the peace and quiet of your backyard with their annoying buzz. Mosquitoes are also dangerous pests. They transmit numerous infectious diseases like West Nile Virus, Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Elephantiasis. Moreover, mosquito bites can cause allergic reactions ranging from red, itchy, localized swelling, to anaphylactic shock which can be life-threatening.
Clearly mosquitoes are uninvited guests and any self-respecting homeowner will want to rid their yard of these troublesome insects. Here are 5 helpful tips to combat mosquitoes in your yard.
1) Citronella oil
Burning citronella oil is a proven method for keeping mosquitoes at bay. Popular citronella products include outdoor citronella candles and citronella garden torches which can be mounted around the perimeter of the yard. These can be purchased online or from your local home improvement center.
2) Pesticides
Permethrin , Scourge, Malathion, and Anvil are common synthetic pesticides used for mosquito control. Natural pesticides such as Pyrethrin and Bacillus thuringensis (BTI) also do a good job of destroying mosquitoes. Bacillus thuringensis (BTI), commonly known as “mosquito dunks”, is a natural soil bacterium that can be placed around your yard. Mosquitoes feed on the BTI which kills them within days. You can also consider installing an automated misting system which sprays your yard with pesticide at intervals throughout the day.
3) Water control
Treat or drain all sources of standing water in your yard. Flower pots, plant saucers, dog bowls, and blow-up pools should be overturned if possible or regularly emptied of any stagnant water. Even objects like kids’ toys or old tires can collect water. Refill birth baths and water fountains frequently to keep the water fresh, and keep gutters clean so that water does not accumulate in them. Other moisture-retaining culprits are loose tarpaulin, uneven lawns, and organic debris such as leaves and sticks.
4) Mosquito predators
Certain animals, like toads, guppies, and gold fish prey on mosquitoes. If you have a garden pond, having these animals in or near your pond can help control the mosquito population in your yard.
Consider this scenario – It’s a wonderful spring evening and you are entertaining friends and family on your outdoor patio, but just as the evening is getting started, the mosquitoes start swarming and drive everyone indoors.
If you want avoid ruined weekend get-together, you will need to know how to control mosquitoes in your yard and lawn.
First and foremost, eliminate breeding areas for mosquitoes. Water is the only breeding requirement for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes need stagnant water for laying their eggs so you need to find any pools of water and remove them. These can be anywhere that a small puddle of water can form including children’s play areas, birdbaths, and so on.
Remember following points to control mosquitoes in your lawn:
#1: Check your drainage system. See if there is any breakage or leakage and subsequently small puddles are formed close to leaking points. Repair the damaged points.
#2: Water can accumulate in garbage cans. Drill holes in the bottom of garbage containers so water does not accumulate. Make sure the water has somewhere drain and doesn’t simply puddle under the garbage can.
#3: When you are going to be away from home for vacations or for work, make sure your pool is properly treated with chlorine. Arrange for a pool service to keep the pool chlorinated or use an automatic chlorinator.
#4: Check your yard for low areas that accumulate standing water. Have your landscaper grade these areas or install french drains to keep your yard dry.
#5: Do not over water potted plants. Remove old tires, cans, and other debris from the yard that can hold water.
Finally, consider installing an automated misting system to control mosquitoes. These systems use safe, natural pesticides that are automatically released at timed intervals to kill mosquitoes and break the mosquito life cycle.
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