As soon as the weather warms up, everyone wants to be outside. Unfortunately, so do the mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are small, fly-like insects known for their ability to bite and draw blood. These insects are found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world and typically breed near the standing water in your backyard. Whether you’re renting an apartment in Durham, NC, or own a home in Fresno, CA, if you want to enjoy your patio or yard without being bitten, we’re here to help. Check out our tips to make your yard mosquito-free.
First, determine what’s attracting mosquitoes to your yard
Different mosquitoes are attracted to different things. Some common attractants include standing water, sweet scents, and heat. Some mosquitoes come from stagnant water that is not moving, such as puddles, ponds, or marshes. Other mosquitoes come from rivers, lakes, or other moving water sources.
How to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard
Eliminate mosquito breeding sites: standing water
The best way to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds is to remove standing water from the area. This can be done by draining any pools of water, filling in any depressions in the ground that holds water, and making sure that there is no standing water around the perimeter of your home. This includes any containers that are holding water, such as buckets, planters, pet water bowls, or children’s toys. If you have a swimming pool, make sure to keep it chlorinated.
Use mosquito dunks to treat standing water
According to a landscape design studio in Portland, OR, Celilo Gardens, “Many homeowners have water features in their gardens. Some water features have re-circulating pumps which keep mosquito larvae from growing because moving water doesn’t allow the larvae to breathe. But some water features are ponds or simply decorative pots of standing water with no water circulation.” That’s where mosquito dunks come in.
A mosquito dunk is a donut-shaped, slow-release tablet…