Mosquitoes are the single largest cause of deaths in humans, due to their being transmitters of deadly viruses. These include Ross River Fever and Dengue Feverin Australia, and Malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile Virus and more overseas. Part of there notorious reputation is the fact that mosquito females are champion egg layers. They can lay from 100-300 eggs or more in a single clutch, and in their entire lifetime of two weeks they can deposit up to 3,000 eggs. One of the best ways to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your backyard is to remove the things they need to breed. If your backyard is not conducive to breeding, then they will naturally stay away and will not make your yard their home. So what can you to get rid of mosquitoes away from your home?
Remove stagnant water
The single most important means of preventing mosquitoes is to remove stagnant water. Mosquitoes depend on still and stagnant water for breeding because these are the areas where their eggs can develop, hatch, and where their larvae or young live before turning into adults.
So how can you keep water from being stagnant? You should keep all gutters clean and clear. Kiddie pools, pot plants water buckets, and all water containers must not be left with stagnant water, or otherwise should be sealed and inaccessible to mosquitoes. For birdbaths, make sure their water is always fresh.
Get rid of mosquitoes breeding areas
Things that can accumulate water should be emptied out. If you have tarps outside, make sure they are not drooping or collecting rainwater. Dog bowls, planter boxes, flower pots, etc should be regularly checked and emptied. Look for the presence of young larvae known as “wrigglers” in water if it’s remained stagnant for some time.
Keep your surroundings clean
Don’t let empty cans, cups, or bottles accumulate around your house. Anything that can hold even a little water can be a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. Throw away old tyres. For tyre swings, drill some holes on their bottom to prevent water from collecting in them. Tyres are breeding havens for mosquitoes because it’s hard to eliminate water in them. Clear out old, unused barbecue grills, shelves, used car parts, and other junk you’ve always wanted to throw away.
Get rid of mosquitoes using repellant plants
If you are near a body of water, try planting mosquito-unfriendly plants. It may also be a good idea to stock ponds with mosquito fish or Gambusia spp. Other plants that repel mosquitoes include marigold, peppermint, chrysanthemums, lavender, citronella, lemon eucalyptus, feverfew, and pennyroyal, if they can live in your area. Mosquitoes love tall grasses, overgrown bushes, weeds, and overgrown trees. Being conscientious about trimming your lawn and surroundings regularly goes a long way in preventing mosquitoes
These precautions significantly lower your risk of having mosquitoes in your backyard, and will help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Preventing the onset of mosquitoes in your backyard isn’t always a straightforward process. It pays to know which aspects of your backyard need maintenance and resolution to improve your anti-mosquito efforts. Ensure safe and long-term pest control by hiring experienced professionals. Get rid of mosquitoes and get in touch with Picton Pest Control today!