Every homeowner should know these 5 easy ways to get rid of mosquitoes. Having a mosquito problem is the number one way to ruin your summer and drive you to spend the warm days and nights inside. You’ve put so much time and energy into your yard, your back porch, or your deck; why not enjoy it?!

5 easy ways to get rid of mosquitoes

1.  Eliminate standing water

Mosquitoes are always attracted to standing water. This can include areas of your yard where water tends to pool after it rains, bird baths, swimming pools, the spot where you keep your hose, pet water bowls, and trashcans (just to name a few). Take a walk in your yard. If you spot (or step on) any areas with even a small amount of standing water, it’s time to fix it.

How to remove standing water:

• Remove any large items from your yard that might collect water. If they’re necessary such as a trash can, regularly check to make sure there’s no water pooling in there, especially after a rainfall.
• Repair outdoor leaky faucets.
• Level out your yard so there are no large divets that could create puddles.
• Keep children’s toys and pet supplies inside until you need them, or if you must keep them outside, keep them turned over or covered.
• Refresh any areas that require water, such as swimming pools, bird baths, ponds, and even pet water bowls that you need to keep outside.

2. Invest in a few low-cost additions to your yard

You don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on machines and traps to keep your yard mosquito-free; there are a few low-cost things you can buy that can help keep them away.

Try these items:

• Citronella candles. Have one on any table or a few scattered throughout your deck. These typically don’t have a huge radius of protection, but can work to keep mosquitoes away from the places where you most often sit, relax, and eat.
• Tiki torches. Line your yard with tiki torches and consider buying oil with citronella in it.
• Fans. Mosquitoes aren’t very strong flyers, so a portable fan can keep them away while also keeping you cool.
• Yellow lights. Mosquitoes aren’t attracted to yellow light as much as they’re attracted to traditional incandescent lights, so invest in some yellow lights. Most backyard string lights include yellow bulbs which can help add some light without attracting them.

3. Plant these naturally-repelling plants

There are plenty of plants that can keep mosquitoes away the natural way. Most of these are relatively easy to grow and maintain, so even those of us without green thumbs can use this method. Plant them near your home, against your deck, or surrounding areas where your kids typically play to create a nice barrier against mosquitoes. You can even pot them so you can move them around as needed. As a bonus, breaking up the leaves of these plants and rubbing their oil on your skin can help give you some extra protection.

Plants and herbs to plant:

• Marigolds
• Catnip
• Citronella
• Lemon balm or lemongrass
• Basil
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Rosemary

4. Prioritize lawncare

Keeping your grass short and free of debris can help tremendously when it comes to mosquito prevention. Each species of grass has certain specifications, but you should aim to keep yours as short as it can withstand. This guide gives you a good idea of how short you can keep your grass based on species.

On top of mowing, rake and maintain your lawn regularly for optimum protection. Keep debris such as leaves, trash, sticks, and even toys off of your lawn to eliminate dark, moist areas where mosquitoes tend to hang out and even breed.

5. Schedule a mosquito treatment

The easiest way to get rid of and prevent mosquitoes is by leaving it up to the professionals. Each of the other items on this list can help prevent mosquitoes, but a professional treatment is the best way to rest assured that you won’t be worrying about bites and nuisances this summer. Of course, keeping up with your lawn and adding in some extra precautionary measures are always good ideas.
We’d love to be your mosquito guys. Call us for a free inspection and we’ll determine what type of treatment is right for you. We offer a monthly mosquito treatment for just $60 a month, as well as a one-time treatment if you need an extra boost before a large party. $95 covers half an acre. Click here to learn more about our treatments and to schedule your free inspection. We look forward to protecting your home and family!