Make the most of what’s left of our warm weather by ensuring your backyard and outdoor entertaining space is pesk-free.
Mosquitos have a way of ruining outdoor fun, but with these tips you’ll be the one in control. If you’re not careful, they can even get inside your house and ruin a good night’s sleep.
Village Media spoke to Lorraine from Heritage Home Hardware in Sault Ste. Marie about the wide variety of mosquito control methods available and which ones to use when.
Mosquito zappers and lamps
Bug zappers are known to be an effective way to control mosquitos. They work by using UV light to attract bugs—not just mosquitos, but other flying insects like moths too. As soon as the insects land on the light, an electrical current kills them. You can buy large bug zappers that cover an area of several thousand square feet of space, as well as smaller, hanging versions that work well on porches and patios.
Mosquito repellent
A good bug repellent works to prevent bugs from coming into a specific area, such as a patio or an outdoor eating space. You can always use bug-repellant candles, but if you’re looking for a safe and convenient way to get the same effect in a larger area, Lorraine recommends using an electric or battery-powered bug repeller.
Insect-repellent plants
A natural solution is to use plants to keep the bugs away. Certain plants repel mosquitos so planting them in an area where you tend to spend a lot of time is a wise strategy. Try growing catnip, holy basil, rosemary, citrosa (citronella-scented geraniums) and lemon thyme—or buy a pre-potted version for instant results.
Insecticides
For mosquito control, a good bug repellent should suffice. But if you have existing insects, you may want to turn to an insecticide. Try things like natural garlic sprays and indoor insecticides, which may be needed for severe infestations.
Heat-activated bug repellent
One new and improved method for keeping your yard bug-free is to use a heat-activated bug repellent. This type of product is attractive and safe, as there is no need for an open flame in order for it to work. It can also cover a larger area than most citronella candles.
Attract natural insect predators
If you don’t have a severe problem with mosquitos, you might choose to go this route. Several natural predators can help take care of the problem for you. These include:
- Other insects: Dragonflies, for example, are a natural enemy of the mosquito. They are attracted to water features such as ponds.
- Fish: Outdoor goldfish or koi, as well as turtles, eat mosquitos. These can also be kept in an outdoor pond.
- Birds: Many birds feed exclusively on insects. To attract different species to your yard, try installing a bird feeder, bird bath or fountain.
Mosquito larvicides
One of the best known forms of mosquito control is removing all standing water from your property. This may not be possible, however, if you have a pond or bird bath, or if your property is simply prone to gathering puddles after rainstorms.
To prevent mosquito larvae from hatching in your outdoor water features, use mosquito larvicides; all you need to do is add them to the water.
Mosquito coils
Another form of mosquito control that is both affordable and convenient is mosquito coils. Simply place them around your yard to act as a bug repellent for areas that you’d like to keep bug-free. Typically, they are mounted using a metal stake that is placed in the ground. You can put these in your grass or tuck them away in your garden beds.
Mosquito traps
Like a bug zapper, a mosquito trap works by using UV light to draw in insects. Instead of electrocuting them, however, the bugs are trapped in a lower reservoir where they eventually die. You can use and re-use these traps for many years and they are easy to empty.
Essential oils & candles
You can use several essential oils to make a natural bug repellent. Effective oils for this purpose include rosemary, camphor and peppermint. Make your own natural bug spray simply by mixing one of these oils with water, then spraying down your outdoor furniture, pillows and other patio items. If you’re in an enclosed area, such as a porch, you can also diffuse the oils. Even more convenient, you can buy bug-repellent candles that contain these oils as an ingredient.
Weather-seal your home
Bugs aren’t just a nuisance outside; you want to keep them out of your home too. As soon as you enter or exit, make sure to close your doors behind you right away, to try to keep any bugs from entering in the first place. Use weather stripping and caulking around any gaps or drafty areas of your home to keep mosquitos from coming in through any small cracks. Use screens on doors and windows so you can enjoy the fresh summer and warm fall air while keeping insects outside where they belong.
The key to controlling mosquitos is to be prepared. Have your solutions in place before the larvae hatches and before mosquitos begin to invade. Choose the methods that work best for your yard and you’ll still have many weeks ahead to enjoy the warm weather bug-free.
For more mosquito-fighting solutions, visit Heritage Home Hardware or call 705-759-5101.