Nothing takes the fun out of an evening barbecue outdoors like a bunch of pesky mosquitoes. In addition to inflicting an irritating bite, mosquitoes can also transmit diseases such as Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue, and malaria. You can, however, help keep the mosquito population under control by taking some simple steps on your property and enjoy that barbeque after all!

All mosquitoes require water to breed. Simply put, without a moisture source, mosquitoes cannot breed and reproduce, it’s really that simple. Mosquitos often lay eggs in stagnant or slow-moving water, on moist soil, or on leaves in areas likely to collect water. By eliminating these sources of moisture, you can keep new generations of mosquitoes from living in your yard.

Here are a few things that you can do to help reduce mosquito populations….

1. Drill holes in the bottom of garbage or recycling containers stored outdoors. This is probably the most often overlooked source, as virtually all homes have outdoor trash and/or recycling receptacles.
2. Keep your gutters and downspouts clean and unclogged. Make sure your downspouts drain properly, without leaving puddles. You may need to reroute your downspouts or add extensions to carry water away to avoid puddling.
3. Keep any swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated, even when they are not being used. This is especially important with portable swimming pools without filtration.
4. After rainfall, take a stroll around your home and look for areas in the yard that are not draining well. If you find puddles that remain, you may need to re-grade the area.
5. Ornamental ponds should be aerated to keep water moving and prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. You can also stock the pond with mosquito-eating fish. Yes, there is a fish called a “mosquitofish.”
6. Empty anything that holds water twice per week. Examples are bird baths, kiddie pools, garbage can lids, planters, and pottery. In addition, remember to empty the saucers under your flowerpots, and don’t leave water in pet bowls when not in use.
7. Remove any items that can hold water, including discarded aluminum cans and tires.
   
   

Even though you’ve done everything you can to eliminate mosquito harborage sites, some mosquitoes will still be around to ruin your evening. You can limit your exposure to the mosquitoes that remain by using effective repellents and barriers. Here are a few examples…

1. Window and door screens should fit snugly without gaps around the edges. Check your screens for holes and repair or replace them as needed.
2. Replace your outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights. These lights do not actually repel insects, but mosquitoes and other pests are less likely to find them attractive and invade your yard.
3. When outdoors, apply a DEET-based insect repellent according to the directions on the label.
4. The usage of some other forms of repellent products, such as citronella candles and mosquito coils, may also be effective if used in windless conditions. Mosquitos are not great flyers, so a light breeze or even fans will also help keep them away.
   
   

Taking a few sensible preventative measures and being vigilant with eliminating potential harborages will go a long way towards making you summer a lot more pleasant.

If all else fails, call Preferred Pest Solutions and ask about our mosquito reduction programs. After all, corn on the cob tastes a little bit sweeter without mosquitoes “bugging” you.