5 Reasons Mosquitoes Won't Stay Out Of Your Yard
As the weather warms, the mosquitoes return en masse to backyards around the area. Some yards seem to attract more mosquitoes than others, and the following are a few reasons why.
1. Stagnant Water
Standing water will lead to increased mosquito populations for one simple reason, water is where mosquito breeding takes place. Standing water can be as obvious as a stagnant pond, water collected in dirty rain gutters, or puddles standing in upturned toys and yard items. Even pet water bowls, if not frequently used or changed, can attract pests. Remove things that hold water and use water treatments in ponds or similar water features to prevent mosquito breeding.
2. Dense Growth
A lush yard may seem cozy, but it can become a mosquito magnet. Mosquitoes aren't strong flyers, so a lot of dense growth around your property blocks a lot of breezes. Plus, these pests are attracted to dense growth for resting and feeding. Thin out trees to allow air circulation. Further, keep landscape plantings thinned and trimmed as necessary to prevent overly dense growth.
3. Weedy Verges
Long grass and overgrown weeds are just as inviting as dense growth elsewhere. Many yards have overlooked weedy areas such as along the side of a garage, in a forgotten corner behind an air conditioner unit, or in the parking strip near the street. Mow down weeds and grass before they become too long. Better yet, landscape or mulch these areas to prevent weedy growth in its entirety.
4. Low Branches
It's not just grass and weeds that attract mosquitoes. Some species prefer to rest on the underside of low leaves on tree branches during the heat of the day, and these areas may also be their favorite areas to hunt in the evening. Lifting the crown of the trees eliminates mosquitoes by eliminating the overly low branches. It will also make it easier to walk beneath the trees.
5. Weak Treatment
Trying to control an outdoor mosquito problem with products like citronella candles and bug spray is often a losing battle, as you can only prevent the pests from striking in the small bubble where the product is active. A better alternative is to have your yard professionally treated. The service can use a combination of cultural controls to make your yard unattractive to the pests, along with chemical treatments such as automatic mosquito misting systems.
Contact a mosquito removal service if the problem is greater than you can handle on your own.