LET’S SAY GOODBYE TO MOSQUITOES THIS SUMMER

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Summer is the most awaited time of year for most of us. After all, we get to enjoy ourselves most here in Canada and throughout the country. It is a time to chill out, unwind, and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it’s hosting a cookout, playing games in the yard with the family, or simply relaxing and soaking up the sun, the summer brings the perfect weather for spending time outside.

The teeny mosquito can be a big summer hassle.

Unfortunately, summer is the time of year mosquitoes are a common pest in North America. While it’s warm and humid both day and night here, the summer is the ideal time for mosquitoes to multiply. It is a total mood-killer when you’re constantly defending yourself from their attacks.

Mosquitoes are a real pain in the… well, wherever they bite you. And if they’re showing up in droves, they can ruin a barbecue or make your gardening plans downright impossible.

Not only do they ruin our whole vacation but mosquito bites can cause itchiness and general skin irritation along with other more severe illnesses and fatal diseases including malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, elephantiasis, dengue fever, and more. Having mosquitoes around your home can literally put you and your loved ones directly in harm’s way. So annoying and hazardous!

Besides, Antarctica and Iceland, mosquitoes are found everywhere in the world, and Canadians are more than used to them. That said, you don’t have to endure their presence and the health risks they pose.

No, you don’t have to spend your beautiful summer indoors trying to stay steer clear of mosquito bites. We don’t want you to experience another summer vacation getting more mosquito bites when you should actually be kicking back and relaxing with the rest of your family members and pals.

With proper precaution and awareness, you can help limit the number of mosquitoes that make their way into your yard.

But where exactly are mosquitoes breeding and multiplying in your backyard?

Below we talk about the most common mosquito breeding grounds in and around your yard that you may not be aware of!

The most common mosquito breeding grounds are:

Standing Water
Yard Debris
Clogged Gutters and Drains
Water for Animals & Birds

Of course, you may know that stagnant water is the most suitable place for mosquitoes to breed, you may not be aware of just how little of this water they really need to breed. Mosquitoes don’t need a wheelbarrow full of water or a whole pond to reproduce.

Trashcan lids
Buckets
Flower pots
Grill covers
Discarded cups
Tires

Are You Wondering How Clogged Gutters Attract Mosquitoes?

Listen! A very common mistake you could be making like many homeowners make is to not properly keep gutters and drains cleared during the summer. When leaves and twigs are allowed to amass and clog drains, gutters, and drainage pipes, mosquitoes get a perfect home. Withstanding water trapped from debris in drains, mosquitoes are given everything they need to reproduce and infest your yard.

Here’s a tip: One of the best ways to keep mosquitoes from your home is proper drain and gutter maintenance and cleaning!

Does Carbon Dioxide Attract Mosquitoes?

It may sound so weird but yes, mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, meaning simply breathing can entice mosquitoes. Mosquitoes have evolved to detect CO2 as a sign that life is near. This means the bigger the crowd, the more likely you are to experience mosquitoes. Oops!

Solution: While this one is pretty hard to avoid without dying, doing intense exercise outside is only going to be a huge attraction for your mosquito neighbors. If you are exercising outdoors, grab the DEET.

(DEET is a chemical that is used in most bug sprays. It repels insects by producing a smell that drives bugs away and makes your skin taste bad to critters. DEET is not toxic to humans when used properly.) Though some research shows it is potentially dangerous, reactions usually only happen when it is ingested. If you use it in small quantities, it is very effective and not harmful to most people.

When used appropriately rubbed, not sprayed- it can definitely do the job of keeping mosquitoes away.

Confused if Wearing Perfume or Cologne Attract Mosquitoes?

Well, strong smells may be attractive for mosquitoes. That means smelling good might put your family at risk of itchy bites!

Solution: You can possibly opt for not wearing scents if you know you will be out for prolonged periods of time–and consider your deodorant! Strong-smelling deodorants can also lure mosquitoes.

Do you sweat a lot? Watch out!

If you don’t already know, mosquitoes are drawn to body odor and moisture. At times, both of these are near impossible to avoid in the humid summer months, but unfortunately, this can attract mosquitoes.

Solution: Just try your best to keep sweat from settling and staying on your skin, and opt for moisture-wicking fabrics. You can also get an outdoor fan because mosquitoes struggle to fly in winds and it will keep you from sweating! That’s what we call a win-win.

If your backyard is not quite windy, opt for some outdoor fans!

Even with minding all of these tips and paying careful attention to typical mosquito breeding grounds, it can be practically impossible to keep every mosquito out of your yard without professional help.

Mosquitoes can affect your outdoor spaces, health, and quality of life. Reducing the moisture content in and around your home is useful, but lasting protection from mosquitoes will require some professional help.

Let’s now understand the benefits of investing in professional pest control.

Saves More Money

At first, hiring professionals to treat your yard and home’s exterior may seem like an unneeded expenditure. However, it can truly be a wise investment, specifically when approximated to the ongoing costs of citronella candles and DIY solutions.

Yes, Citronella candles and the scent they give off are useful for repelling mosquitoes and other insects. Unfortunately, most experts agree that citronella is only effective for about two hours. So, it is definitely not a long-term solution for repelling mosquitoes.

Like many other Canadians, you may also consider using essential oils and ingredients from your pantry to make repellants or traps. You may think these DIY solutions are more reasonable and safer. That’s not true! Because they are usually not effective at controlling, repelling, or trapping mosquitoes. Thus, your homemade solutions will waste your time and your hard-earned money.

Enhances Your Outdoor Living

No matter whether you have a basic wood deck or a more elaborate porch, deck, patio, and firepit/fireplace setup, outdoor living has many benefits for your home and health. Probably the biggest benefit of professional mosquito control is the fact that when there are fewer mosquitoes in your yard, you can enjoy it again.

Imagine how great it feels to enjoy reading in the afternoon sun, grilling out with family and buddies, or cozying up in front of the fireplace in the evening, all in the comfort of your backyard. Sounds great, right?

You just can’t deny outdoor living makes your home more tempting and valuable, and guess what? It can also benefit your emotional soundness. SImply because spending time outdoors can also improve your mood. Also, exposure to the natural light of the sun can boost your energy levels and make you feel more content and optimistic.

Of course, if mosquitoes are infiltrating your outdoor space, you will likely struggle to enjoy your time outdoors. Trusting the professionals to keep mosquitoes away from your porches, decks, and patios will enhance your time spent outdoors.

No one wants to be chased away from their own landscape. What fun is having a grill you can’t use? Or a great deck or patio that is riddled with mosquitoes?

Protects You Against Infections and Disease

We’re all aware of how mosquitoes are regarded as one of the fatal creatures in the world. Because they will bite, mosquitoes can cause you to develop different infections and diseases.

So, the significance of investing in pest control should be painless to see.

First off, you need to know that most people will encounter some sort of reaction after being bit by a mosquito. Even a small bite will cause redness, slight swelling, and itching. If you constantly scratch at the bite, the wound can become infected.

While mosquito repellent is great when you’re going somewhere away from your home, constantly putting on the spray when you’re at home can get annoying.

Professional mosquito control can be a better option for your backyard.

If you have strange reactions to insect bites or you have been bitten multiple times, you may have a dangerous allergic reaction to the mosquito bite. An allergic reaction will increase the redness, inflammation, and itching around the bite wound. You may also develop hives around the bite. And nobody wants to struggle with itchiness, bites, and illness.

Final Thoughts:

Yes, it’s true that mosquitoes only live for a short time.

Here’s the catch: They reproduce extremely fast. Every few days, females lay hundreds of eggs, which hatch a short time later. That rate of reproduction can make it extremely difficult to end a mosquito invasion.

Applying insect repellent and wearing protective clothing can help, as well as eliminating standing water and trimming back vegetation. Everything we discussed above can definitely keep mosquitoes away.

However, to successfully break the mosquito life cycle and end the infestation, you may require professional pest control services.