The mosquito is the greatest menace of all time when it pertains to disease-transmitting insects. Throughout history, there have been many times in which the mosquito was responsible for spreading deadly diseases like malaria, dengue, and yellow fever.
About 40% of the world’s population is at risk for contracting malaria, and every year, there are approximately 2.7 million deaths.
In the United States alone, there are about 200 different species of mosquitoes. And even if you aren’t at risk of contracting malaria, mosquito bites are still annoying, itchy, and sometimes even painful.
But if you know how to get rid of mosquitoes, you’ll lessen your chances of being bitten significantly.
Keep reading to find out how you can get rid of mosquitoes so that you can enjoy the rest of your summer!
Get Rid of Their Breeding Grounds
For this one, you don’t have to worry about sprays, chemicals, or anything else. It’s as simple as getting rid of any sources of old, open, still water.
Remove toys, buckets, barrels, plastic bags, and anything else that can hold standing water from your property. Mosquitoes can breed in such small amounts of still water that they can even do so in a bottle cap!
If you have any ponds, fountains, or open water sources that you can’t just up and throw away, all you have to do to ensure no mosquito larvae is to treat the water regularly.
The best way to combat mosquitoes is to leave them without anywhere to breed. You don’t need to use harsh chemicals or cleaners to treat your water sources.
Apple cider vinegar works like a charm, but it takes almost a day to do the job. Make sure you use enough to do the job. Use at least 15% vinegar to 85% water.
Soap will also do it and many hardware stores offer some that are specific to killing mosquito larvae.
Olive oil will also do the trick as it forms a layer over the top of the water and suffocates the larvae. If you have any fish or other creatures that you’re hosting in this water, don’t use oil as it may have the same effect on them.
Mosquito dunks are another option. They’re harmless to plants and humans but will kill mosquito larvae. They can also last up to a month. All you do is drop the donut-shaped dunk into the water and leave it be.
Surround Your Seating Area with Candles and Torches
Maybe you and your family lead busy lives during the day, but at night all you want to be able to do is sit outside and relax to some jazz while looking at the stars.
Surround your backyard seating area with citronella candles and torches and you’ll be able to do just that. Just make sure you take the proper precautions so that there’s no chance of anything catching fire.
You could add some floor fans to your patio for an added deterrence. Mosquitoes are very weak flyers, so if a breeze stands in their way, chances are they won’t be able to get to you.
Dress the Part
Sometimes it’s just too hot to do so, but if you can, wear loose clothing that covers as much of you as you can. Plus, mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing so wear light colors as much as possible when you’re going to be spending time outdoors.
Buy a Bat House
Bats are amazing creatures. And, they can eat over 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in under an hour. You can buy or build a bat house, install it in a nearby tree, and let them work their magic.
Use Bug Spray
While DEET is recognized across the world as being one of the most powerful insect repellents, there are many natural options, some of which, work just as well.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus has earned its reputation for fighting against mosquito bites. It’s even recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for its effectiveness. It’s recommended that you do not use on children under 3, however, as it can significantly irritate the eyes.
People swear by garlic to fight mosquitoes as well. Mix 1 part garlic with 5 parts water and spray it all over yourself. Mosquitoes are turned off by the scent, and while your other half might be too, at least you’ll be bite-free!
Call a Professional
You might have covered all your bases and tried several methods but still find yourself being burdened by the thought of how many mosquito bites you might get every time you go outside.
If that’s the case, it may be in your best interest to hire a professional service to eradicate the mosquitoes. There may be open water in the woods surrounding your home or something else that keeps them coming. In this case, your best bet at fighting mosquitoes is to get someone to take care of your property at the very least. You might just need a simple tree treatment!
Most treatments last at least a month so you may only need a couple of visits to get you through the summer.
Knowing How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Will Change Your Life
Do you avoid going outside during those hot, mosquito-ridden months? If so, knowing how to get rid of mosquitoes will help you enjoy the outdoors and get more sleep as you won’t wake up itching numerous parts of your body.
Survey your property. You might be able to pinpoint where they’re breeding right away. And if you try all our tips but still find that mosquitoes are an issue, give a professional a call so that you can get the peace of mind you’ve been fighting for.
Schedule an appointment and you’ll get 5% off your first service!
