9 May 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Mosquitoes are those nasty insects always buzzing around in the humid summer months causing those itchy welts all over your body. They are the stealth ninjas of insects, biting you without you noticing until after it happens. If you live in a neighborhood that sprays to help control the population, good for you, but if not there are things you can do to help control them in your own yard. See below for helpful tips to help decrease the population.

Garden Plants

You don't always have to use spray to get rid of mosquitoes. You can use garden plants to keep them away as well. Plants such as lavender, citronella, rosemary and lemongrass are all plants that repel mosquitoes. Plant them in large planters and set them around your patio for not only a beautiful look, but to keep those pesky insects away.

Keep Lawns Mowed

Keeping your lawn mowed down also helps keep mosquitoes away. Mosquitoes are attracted to moisture, so keeping your lawn shorter will allow the ground to dry up faster than lawns mowed higher. 

Get Rid Of Standing Water

Again, mosquitoes are attracted to water and lay their eggs in standing water. Empty standing water from things like children's toys left outside, off of tarps, chairs, baby pools and empty containers left outside. 

DIY Luminaries

Instead of using those citronella candles or citronella oil torches to get rid of mosquitoes, make your own natural repellent luminary using mason jars filled with 40 drops of lavender essential oil, or you can use lemon or thieves as well. Then add two lemons and two limes sliced, as well as eight rosemary sprigs and a tealight. The smell is fresh and not as overpowering as citronella can be, plus it's all natural and will help keep the mosquitoes away.

Attract A Bat

If you have a problem with mosquitoes, you may have already seen bats around as they eat mosquitoes. Keep that bat around to help get rid of more mosquitoes by adding a bat house. Place it in your backyard up in a tree. You can find plans on-line to build one yourself, or find one pre-made at your local hardware store. They look similar to a birdhouse, but the entrance is not a small hole, but an opening at the bottom of the house, usually with a divider in the middle of the house. Be sure it is placed in a cool area, near a water source such as a pond or creek.

Mosquitoes are nasty insects that make summer nights a little less enjoyable. You can try to get rid of them yourself following the tips above, but if you have a big problem with mosquitoes, it may be time to call in a professional pest control company like Bug Busters Inc for help.