Mosquitoes can be dangerous. There are several mosquito-borne diseases that have local reservoirs in the United States, such as West Nile virus, dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya, tularemia, and several forms of encephalitis. Some mosquito-borne viruses are brought into the country by travelers from other countries. We've had outbreaks of malaria, Zika virus, and more. All it takes is one bite from an infected mosquito to make you very sick. Fortunately, most of the mosquitoes that bite you are not infected. But these bites can still be itchy and irritating. Today, we're going to discuss some prevention tips that can help you reduce the number of mosquitoes around your Dallas home and reduce the number of bites you'll get when you go outside to enjoy your yard.
Tip #1: Remove Standing Water
Some mosquitoes breed in standing water, and it only takes half a cup of water for mosquitoes to develop. Do an inspection of your yard and the exterior of your home for the following:
- Objects that can capture and hold water for more than a week
- Areas where puddles can form for more than a week
- Clogged gutters or breaks in your gutter system
- Damaged spigots, pipes or sprinkler system
Tip #2: Reduce Moisture
Some mosquitoes can breed on damp ground. You can prevent this by reducing conditions of moisture in your yard and next to your home. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Water your plants in the morning to give the sun time to dry things up.
- Trim tree branches to allow the sun into shaded areas that get damp.
- Put space between the plants in your landscaping to let the air move through and dry the topsoil.
- Remove piles of leaves and grass clippings.
Tip #3: Plants That Repel Mosquitoes
There are several plants that smell bad to mosquitoes. If you plant them in your landscaping, you can make the perimeter around your home less appealing. Keep in mind that these scents need to be activated. You can't simply plant these plants and call it a day. You have to move your hand over them. So, plant them in places where you sit or lounge outside. After touching them, be sure to rub the scent on your skin for extra protection. Here is a short list of plants that can repel mosquitoes (in no specific order):
- Citronella
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Lemon balm
- Catnip
- Scented geraniums
- Marigold
- Floss flower
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Basil
- Peppermint
- Garlic
Tip #4: Reduce Vegetation
Do you know that mosquitoes require sugar more than blood? Male and female mosquitoes eat nectar from flowers and sap from plants to survive. The more plants you have, the more mosquitoes you're going to have.
- Remove unnecessary vegetation.
- Pluck the weeds up.
- Keep your landscaping trimmed.
Tip #5: Directly Reduce Mosquito Populations
All-Safe Pest & Termite can help you target the mosquitoes in your yard and eliminate them. When just one female mosquito is eliminated, you potentially prevent hundreds of mosquitoes from hatching in your yard. Since most of the mosquitoes that bite you are from your own yard, this can have a big impact. We apply EPA approved products in the correct amounts to repel and eliminate mosquitoes in the places they rest in your yard. We'll also help you address breeding sites in your yard. This is a one-two punch that will help you take your backyard back. Enjoy your yard and protect your family from mosquito-borne diseases by taking the steps necessary to reduce mosquitoes. If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, reach out to All-Safe Pest & Termite for seasonal mosquito control. We'll give you the service you need to get the results you want.