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With all the rain we’ve been having this summer you know there are a bevy of mosquitoes lurking in the yard and garden. Most mosquitoes need moisture to reproduce and this summer has been perfect for them so far. With a little heat, they are out flying and looking for a good meal. That means you and me!
Actually, it’s only the female mosquito that bites and they do so to reproduce. There are many mosquito control devices and ideas out on the market, here are some ways to lessen the number of mosquitoes in your yard and hopefully make for a more pleasant summer outdoors.
Repellents
There are many home and commercial remedies available that claim to repel mosquitoes. Some of the home remedies include vanilla, lavender, or citronella oil dabbed on your neck, Listerine sprayed on your clothes and body, and dryer fabric softener sheets hung on your hat or neck. Commercial repellents include DEET-based (there are precautions for pregnant women and children when using DEET-based repellents ), natural oil-based sprays, and citronella candles. They are worth a try to see what works for you. However, don’t get fooled into buying “mosquito-repellent” plants. These geraniums are great if you sit right next to them or pick the leaves and run them on your body to repel mosquitoes. However, like all repellents their effectiveness wears off over time.
Traps
There are also many mosquito traps available as well. The most recent are carbon dioxide traps. Mosquitoes are attracted to heat, scent, and CO2. These traps exude CO2, drawing the mosquitoes in to be killed. However, they are expensive and their claims of keeping your whole yard mosquito-free are exaggerated. One product to avoid is bug zappers. These lights draw mosquitoes in to be “zapped” by an electrical current. However, they mostly are zapping harmless bugs and don’t kill many mosquitoes.
Long-Term Control
Here are some controls that definitely work. Any sources of standing, stagnant water such as bird baths, gutters, and buckets should be drained. Mosquitoes love to lay eggs in these sources of water. If you have a pond, water garden, or slow moving stream, try adding mosquito dunks. This biological control looks like a little donut. It contains Bacillus thuringensis israeliensis. This form of B.t. kills the mosquito larvae in the water before it hatches into a biting adult. They last for weeks and are safe for the pond, fish, beneficial insects, wildlife, and people.
So with a little thought, you can reduce the number of pesky mosquitoes in your yard and enjoy the summer a little better.
For more information:
Did You Know.... Mosquito Facts and Fiction
Protect Yourself from Summer's Insect Pests
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