Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance on a peaceful evening outdoors—they can turn your patio into a risky zone, buzzing with the threat of serious diseases. Thanks to a mild winter, you’re likely seeing mosquitoes earlier than ever. And as we head toward summer, you’ll be seeing even more since mosquitoes love it when it’s warm. While mosquitoes are a common pest, there are steps you can take to create a less inviting environment for them. Keep reading for expert tips and tricks that you can use both on your property and inside your home to keep mosquitoes at bay and better protect your family.
Tips to Mosquito-Proof Your Home and Property
When it comes to making your home and property less attractive for mosquitoes, there are actions you can take both outside in your yard as well as inside your home.
Your Yard: Expert Advice to Reduce Mosquitoes Outside
Your deck, patio, and yard might be inviting mosquitoes to hang around without you even knowing it. Here are some tips to make your property less hospitable:
- Remove all standing water. We can’t emphasize this enough. Standing water is where mosquitoes breed, so be sure to empty any container that may be catching water, such as buckets, kiddie pools, or wheelbarrows.
- Get rid of litter and yard debris. Even the smallest of vessels can hold enough water for mosquitoes to breed. Trash/recyclables like bottle caps or cans could be attracting them. In addition, leaf piles and thick vegetation can be ideal habitats for mosquitoes, so keeping your yard cleaned up and the vegetation cut back can help.
- Keep your gutters clean. It’s not a fun job, but it’s important as gutters can be a hotspot for breeding. If they are clogged, stagnant water can accumulate and become an attractive breeding site.
- Treat the areas that matter. Working with a professional pest control company like Ford’s Hometown Services can give you the upper hand when it comes to mosquito control. Not only will experienced technicians be able to hone in on potential habitats and breeding sites, but they also apply targeted treatments that are proven to protect your home from mosquitoes.
Your Home: Expert Advice to Reduce Mosquitoes Inside
Sometimes, mosquitoes find their way into your home. Here are some tips to keep them out:
- Check your screens. Make sure you have screens on windows, doors and vents.
- Change water: Be sure to change the water in your home at least once a week, such as in your pet’s drinking bowl and flower vases.
- Keep doors closed. Keeping doors closed helps eliminate easy access to your home. This can be easier said than done, especially in the summer if you have kids running in and out. But remind your family that keeping the doors closed helps keep everyone safe. It’s especially important around dusk and dawn, the hours mosquitoes are most active.
In addition, there are also ways you can protect yourself and your family. It’s smart to wear protective clothing and use insect repellent if you will be outside for extended periods.
Avoid Mosquitoes All Together
While the above tips will help you mosquito-proof your home and property, nothing works better than partnering with a professional pest control company. Mosquito control has been a specialty of Ford’s Hometown Services for decades and our team has deep experience identifying, preventing, and minimizing mosquito breeding sites. We also have access to environmentally friendly product lines, like our tick and mosquito combo program, that will protect your health and property. Call us today at 800-649-9992 or get an online quote.