A summer barbecue is a fun time for all, that is until the following day when you wake up with itchy welts. Unfortunately, outdoor gatherings sometimes turn into feeding fests for blood-thirsty bugs. Want to stop mosquitoes from crashing the party? Here’s how to ban these bugs from your backyard.

Stop Mosquitoes Before They Start Bugging You

Warmer weather sets the stage for all kinds of fun activities. If biting bugs are not part of the plan, check out these prevention tips to stop mosquitoes from messing up your summer.

Good gardening gives pests something to detest. Many plants naturally repel mosquitoes, like marigolds, lavender, citronella, basil, and some scented geraniums. Add any of these to your landscaping and they’ll not only look nice, but deter unwanted guests.

Stop mosquitoes from breeding in standing water. Bird baths, koi ponds, puddles, and empty flower pots create ideal breeding grounds for these pests. Take a tour of your property to locate stagnant water. Turn over empty flower pots, level off lawn areas prone to puddling, and add moving water features to ponds. Place “dunks” inside of bird baths and decorative water-collecting features. These small disc-like products stop still water from becoming a breeding ground. Other places to check include clogged gutters and open trash cans or recycling bins.

Use Deterring Devices to Stop Mosquitoes

There are plenty of devices on the market that claim they stop mosquitoes from biting such as clip-on repellents and bracelets. Read up on a product’s reviews before purchasing to make sure they do what they claim. Of course, there’s all kinds of bug zappers that attract the pests to a light then electrocute them. Just remember that bug zappers kill beneficial insects as well.

Foggers spray a fine mist of insecticide to target the tiny creatures (conventional spray solutions don’t work because the particles are too big). Available in thermal and ultra-low volume versions (ULV units don’t use heat and also work indoors), these units come with advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to do your research.

It’s wonderful what a little wind will do! Not a “fan” of mosquitoes? Here’s a simple solution: place a big oscillating fan on the patio at your next barbecue and blow what bugs you away. Not only does this device provide relief from the heat, but mosquitoes can’t fly well in wind.

Let Us Help

It’s never been more important to stop mosquitoes from making you miserable. Besides being itch-inducing pests, they sometimes carry dangerous diseases like dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and malaria. Call in a professional now to protect against unwanted pests. Contact Free Spray Lawn Care at 419-529-5296.