If it weren’t for their bites, mosquitoes would be downright tolerable. But they do bite, unfortunately for us, and their bites can cause anything from mild discomfort to serious illnesses like West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, and Dengue—to name just a few.
Mosquito bites are a concern during mosquito season, which in most parts of the US is between March and November, but can be year-round in exceptionally warm, wet climates. This is the period when mosquito eggs hatch, and female mosquitoes take to the sky in search of blood meals. Mosquitoes don’t like being in the sun for prolonged amounts of time, so they are more active during sunrise, sunset, and nighttime. Their activity peaks at dusk.
How to Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
Use bug spray. Bug spray works by covering up the “scent” of carbon dioxide that humans emit. This makes it more difficult for mosquitoes to detect (and bite) people.
Wear long sleeves and pants. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the summer feels good, but it’s easier to get mosquito bites this way. If you really want to protect yourself, wear long sleeves and pants. It might not be quite as breezy, but you’ll get less bites. Mosquitoes can bite through thin, tight clothing like spandex and yoga pants, however.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Yard
Reduce standing water. Mosquitoes require pools of water to reproduce, and these pools can be very small—even a half a cup of water is enough for a female to lay her eggs. Reducing standing water, therefore, is the key aspect of mosquito control. Of course, not all standing water can realistically be eliminated. But dumping water out of any containers and keeping them dry is a good way to prevent the mosquito population around your home from gaining traction.
Keep Grass Trimmed. As stated earlier, mosquitoes find prolonged sun exposure uncomfortable, and long, unkempt grass provides them with a shady place to rest. By keeping your lawn trim, you’ll make your property less attractive to mosquitoes—and more attractive to everyone else.
Remove debris. This might not be obvious, but debris is actually a big draw for mosquitoes. This is because mosquitoes detest wind and will go to great lengths to avoid it, such as taking shelter in debris. Prompt removal of yard debris should help keep mosquitoes in check.
Don’t neglect your gutters. Debris in gutters can cause blockages, which can result in puddles forming. And puddles, as we know, are like mosquito nurseries. By cleaning gutters regularly, you can prevent puddles—and mosquitoes.
Outdoor Mosquito Control
Citronella candles: These candles are often credited with repelling mosquitoes and setting the mood for outdoor gatherings. Unfortunately, they do not appear to be effective—at repelling mosquitoes, at least.
Lemon eucalyptus oil: This is a plant-based bug repellant, available as a spray, that has been shown to be effective. The EPA classifies oil of lemon eucalyptus as a biopesticide, which means that it’s a naturally occurring substance thought to be safer than conventional pesticides.
Thermacell Mosquito Repellant: This is a device that emits a repellant that keeps mosquitoes and black flies away. It uses a small butane cartridge to heat up a mat that’s soaked in mosquito repellant, thus releasing it into the air. It is effective, but not in very windy conditions.
Mosquito Traps: The best traps for mosquitoes are ones that target mosquitoes specifically, not just bugs or flying insects in general. For example, devices that rely on light or heat are indiscriminate bug killers, and research shows that they kill more harmless insects than they do mosquitoes. Researchers at the CDC designed a more specialized trap for the Aedes species that is simple and contains no toxic chemicals. It works by luring females looking to lay eggs inside, then traps them on sticky paper. It can be purchased here.
Professional Mosquito Control Services
Of course, you don’t want to wage a war on mosquitoes all by yourself—you would, after all, be heavily outnumbered. Some local health departments do, in fact, have mosquito control operations in place, but they are far from perfect. In fact, a recent study found that 84% of vector control programs are in need of improvement.
The greatest difference between local mosquito control programs and mosquito control services like Missquito is that the latter offers services that are completely tailored to your needs. We identify and target problem areas, as well as spray the entire perimeter of your space with our barrier spray treatment. We also offer the same to next-day appointments and can work around your schedule to deliver the mosquito protection you deserve.