Mosquitoes are pesky insects that can ruin an otherwise pleasant summer evening. They inflict painful, itchy bites and spread diseases. Take steps to repel mosquitoes from your property. Here are a few tips to make your evenings outside insect-free.
Ways to Repel Mosquitoes
1. Attract Predators
Bats and birds are a few of the animals that prey on mosquitoes. To encourage birds and bats to stay in your area, install bat boxes and birdhouses. These can be on your lawn or near your property in general.
Keep the mosquito population under control by adding fish to your pond or fountain. Fish will eat larva that lives in the pools of water. When you make sure there are predators nearby, you’ll see fewer mosquitoes around your home.
2. To Repel Mosquitoes, Keep the Lawn Mowed
Keeping the grass short is a simple way to repel mosquitoes from your property. Mosquitoes like to hide in cool, tall grass so if your lawn is overgrown, you’ll see more mosquitoes. In the summer months, mow the lawn weekly.
3. Add Mosquito Repelling Plants to the Garden
There are some plants that naturally repel mosquitoes. When planning your garden, flower beds, or pots of greenery for the front porch, choose plants that keep mosquitoes away. Commonly available options include catnip, basil, lavender, marigolds, and lemon balm. These are fragrant varieties with many practical uses, including repelling mosquitoes and other insects.
4. Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitoes breed near standing water and lay their eggs there. If you have pools of water near your home, empty them. Fill holes in the lawn where water pools after a storm. Keep the gutters clean and empty birdbaths regularly. By removing mosquito breeding grounds, you’ll help reduce their numbers.
5. Consider Using Pesticides
Depending on the area where you live, it can be hard to keep mosquitoes off your property. In a heavily wooded area, these steps may not be enough to control these pesky insects. Hire a professional to assess and treat the land to reduce the mosquito population. A pest control expert can also offer advice for your specific property.
DJR Home Inspections provides inspection services to central and southern New Jersey. Contact us to schedule an appointment.