Creating A Lush and Welcoming Landscape

If you're like most people who like spending time outdoors in summer, the one thing you don't look forward to when warm weather comes around is the return of the mosquitos. While there is no single solution to controlling the mosquito population, a combination of different methods can help to significantly reduce the number of mosquitoes in your area.

Outdoor mosquito control can be achieved through a variety of methods, including the following.

Proper Drainage

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so removing or draining any standing water sources in your yard can help reduce the mosquito population. This is particularly important if you've got low-lying areas in your yard where rainwater or water from the sprinklers tends to pool.

Small pools of water in low-lying parts of the yard aren't the only culprits when it comes to inadvertently providing mosquitos with the kind of habitat they like. Water can also pool in old tires or bird baths, and removing or draining that water can help reduce the number of mosquitoes in your area. In some cases, even a dish of water left outdoors for a pet can become a breeding zone for opportunistic mosquitos. 

Insecticides

Insecticides can be used to kill adult mosquitoes and larvae. This can be done through fogging, misting, or by applying granules to standing water. Commercial products commonly used to control mosquitos include pyrethrin-based insecticides, which is a natural formulation derived from chrysanthemums and permethrin is a synthetic insecticide similar to pyrethrin.

Mosquito Traps

Electronic traps use light and CO2 to attract mosquitoes and then suck them into a container where they dehydrate and die. These traps are not intended to replace other prevention methods such as removing standing water, using repellents, and other control methods. They can be used as a complementary method to reduce the mosquito population in a specific area.

Natural Methods

Planting certain plants (e.g. citronella, marigold, and catnip) in your yard can help repel mosquitoes. Also, using Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) a bacteria that kills mosquito larvae can be used in standing water.

It's important to note that these methods may not completely eliminate mosquitoes, but they can significantly reduce their numbers. It's also important to follow all instructions and safety precautions when using any chemical or device for mosquito control. For more information on mosquito control and how to prevent mosquitos from returning, contact a company in an area near you.