Mosquito Prevention: Do’s and Don’ts

Summer in Vermont is a special time of year. The weather is warm during the day but nights are cool and comfortable, making it the perfect weather for many outdoor activities. While you are outside enjoying your summer barbeques, mosquitoes are also out, ruining your good time.

These uninvited party crashers don’t just leave behind their signature itchy bites; they are also known to carry a variety of diseases such as West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and malaria. As a result, preventing these pests before they can make a meal out of you is important. Knowing which mosquito prevention methods work and which methods are just old wives’ tales can help make your efforts more successful.

A Few Do’s

When trying to keep mosquitoes out of your yard it is important to know which methods are most effective. Below are proven ways to keep mosquitoes away:

• Remove standing water: Female mosquitoes will find even the smallest pools of standing water to lay their eggs. Make sure to empty any water out of buckets, kid toys, flowerpots, and those old tires you have stashed behind the shed. It is important to ensure your yard is water-free and inhospitable to these small flying bloodsuckers. 

• Add mosquito netting to your doors/windows: Nothing is better than a nice summer breeze going through your home, but an open window is an invitation for mosquitoes or any other pests to enter. To keep these unwanted guests out of your home and away from your family, install mosquito netting or screens on any doors or windows you want to leave open. It will block any pests from entering your home while you enjoy the fresh summer air.

• Add natural predators to your pond: Ponds are the perfect nursery for mosquito larvae. The best way to keep mosquitoes from multiplying in your pond is by adding natural predators. Animals like fish, tadpoles, and turtles enjoy snacking on mosquito larvae which will help keep the mosquito population in check. You can also create a welcoming habitat around your pond for mosquito hunters like birds and dragonflies.

A Few Don’ts

Battling mosquitoes in your yard can be frustrating. Don’t waste your money and add to your frustration by using the following ineffective methods of mosquito control! 

• Bug zappers: While bug zappers can be extremely effective at eliminating many insects around your patio, they are ineffective when it comes to controlling mosquitos. Bug zappers work by emitting a light that attracts insects and then “zapping” them. Unlike many insects, mosquitoes are not attracted to light but are attracted to the carbon dioxide people exhale. These zappers can actually make your mosquito problems worse by killing insects that would normally eat mosquitoes for dinner.

• Citronella candles: One of the most popular mosquito prevention methods is lighting a citronella candle. Citronella candles may have some effectiveness in keeping mosquitoes at bay but their range of protection is limited. They do not provide a long-term solution as they are only effective when lit. Instead of running to the store to grab citronella candles for your barbeque, consider using a proven mosquito repellant like those with DEET or picaridin. 

Professional Pest Control

Sometimes despite your best efforts, mosquitoes can win the battle over your yard. Undoubtedly, when you are ready to win the war against mosquitoes, contact the professionals at Vermont Pest Control. Our skilled technicians will help eliminate your mosquito problem and provide prevention tips for the ongoing season. With trusted help, you can enjoy your time outdoors without worrying about these annoying pests. Contact us today for a free quote and more information on our mosquito extermination services.