Landscaping Tips To Prevent Mosquito Invasions

Landscaping Tips To Prevent Mosquito Invasions

With summer on the horizon, it is time for those unwelcome visitors: mosquitoes. These flying bugs love to bother humans and animals around the globe. This insect sucks the blood of humans and leaves behind an annoying and itchy welt on the skin. Along with that, the mosquito carries a wide range of diseases, such as yellow fever, malaria, and Zika.

While mosquitoes do not damage plants, trees, or other parts of your yard, a large concentration of these pests can be potentially dangerous to your health. You can prevent these pests from entering your home with door and window screens, but keeping them away from you in the outdoors is another task. Here are a few tips to keep mosquitoes out of your landscape.

Eliminate Standing Water

In some ways, it is easy to get rid of those pesky mosquitoes. While you cannot completely eradicate them from your life, there are a couple of ways to reduce their population. Mosquitoes love those areas with standing water. They need moisture to grow, breed, and thrive. If you eliminate those areas with water, you can keep away many of these insects.

There are plenty of spots that can hold water around your yard. Any place where rain or irrigation can gather is a breeding ground for these pests. When the mosquitoes find these places, they will lay eggs to reproduce. You will want to move any artificial items from those areas that gather water.

However, there are some areas where you cannot remove water, like a decorative water feature or pond. No, you don’t have to drain these spots, but you can use a treatment with a larvicide that kills their eggs. These solutions can be placed in a birdbath, fountain, or pond. On the plus side, these treatment options are safe for birds, fish, and other animals. If your pond is filled with fish, they will eat the larvae, and you don’t have to worry about adding in any solutions.

Any plants that can hold water should be checked for mosquito larvae. For example, bromeliads have leaves that can hold just enough water to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. You can treat these plants with methoprene and certain types of bacteria for an insect-free space.

Use a Fan

If you are looking for unique ways to control the mosquito population, you might want to use a fan. A strong household fan is a non-toxic way to keep those pests at bay. These fans can reduce the chances of a mosquito landing on your skin by 65 percent. An oscillating fan is an excellent option for those large spaces, but a small box fan can provide plenty of benefits.

Treat Bodies of Water

You might think that mosquitoes love those large bodies of water and other swamp spots. However, a mosquito can lay eggs in areas as small as an overturned bottlecap. You will want to remove tires, trash, and debris from your landscape. Make sure to clean out gutters that are clogged or dirty. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way to stop mosquitoes from infesting your outdoor spaces.

Since mosquitoes can hatch eggs in as little as four days, you need to remain diligent in preventing the spread. If you don’t clean up your outdoor spaces and water builds up, you will see a spike in mosquitoes.

Many property owners turn to chemicals to stop mosquitoes from breeding. With the proper application of these insecticides, the larvae are killed, and the population is reduced. However, these chemicals are toxic for humans and other animals. They can also harm the butterfly, bee, and beneficial insect population. Some of these sprays may also increase pesticide resistance in mosquitoes. In turn, the mosquitoes can continue to thrive and spread disease throughout the community. If you are thinking of using chemicals, you might want to consult a professional company specializing in commercial lawn care services.

Using Plants To Control Mosquitoes

By now, you realize that chemicals can do more harm than good. With that, you want to use a few natural plants to control their population. Here are some of the best mosquito-repellent plants for your landscape.

Catnip

Catnip is a favorite of your feline, and it helps to keep away those nasty mosquitoes. This plant is from the mint family. It is effortless to grow, but you will want to make sure it doesn’t take over your yard. In one study, catnip was more effective at controlling mosquitoes than DEET.

Lavender

Lavender is an extremely hardy plant in your landscape. Even those destructive rabbits will leave this plant alone. Known for its lovely fragrance, it contains essential oils that can hinder a mosquito’s ability to smell blood. It is also a drought-resistant and hardy plant, and it can thrive in several types of climates.

Marigold

This plant is an easy-to-grow flower, and it produces a smell that keeps away mosquitoes. You can place them in pots around your property or add them as a border to your gardens. Along with that, marigolds can stop aphids from invading your landscape.

Rosemary

Another great mosquito repellent is rosemary. This herb does best in dry and hot climates, and it can be quickly grown in a container. In addition to that, this herb is a great seasoning for many dishes.

Basil

Another herb that doubles as pest repellent is basil. The leaves emit a pungent smell that prevents mosquitoes from staying around your space. There are several types of basil, and all of them keep away these insects.

Citronella Grass

This plant is also known as lemongrass, but it is the most popular plant to keep away these pests. Lemon-scented plants like citronella are very effective at repelling mosquitoes. They do best in large containers and sunny spots.

Let Us Handle Your Commercial Landscaping

If you want to add some natural elements to prevent a mosquito invasion, reach out to Charlestown Landscaping LLC. We specialize in commercial lawn care, and our team will work hard to make your space shine. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call (610) 608-3965.

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