Peak mosquito season for Alabama is just around the corner, making now the perfect time to get prepared! Besides being a nuisance, mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases to both humans and pets. Check out our top do-it-yourself mosquito prevention tips you can place now before mosquito season gets out of hand.
Remove Standing Water
Eliminating breeding sites or source reduction can help keep pesky mosquitoes from your yard. Inspect your yard and look for any low-lying areas that are prone to flooding or pooling water, fill them in with dirt, or place mulch in them. Likewise, look around for any items containing water after it’s rained, including plastic sheeting, old tires, trashcan lids, kiddie pools, birdbaths, and more. These all serve as an ideal mosquito breeding grounds. Likewise, make sure to fix any leaking spigots leading to puddles around the perimeter of your home.
Clean Your Gutters
Mosquitoes don’t need a large amount of water to breed. These pests can lay their eggs in just a small amount, such as a bottle cap of water. When your gutters become cluttered with fallen leaves, pine straw, and other debris, they can create the perfect place for a mosquito breeding ground. Make sure to clear your gutters so that water can easily flow, and you can reduce the places mosquitoes will lay their eggs.
Keep a Well-Kept Yard
Mosquitoes tend to hide in tall grass, shrubbery, and damp woodpiles. It’s important to keep your grass mowed short and cut back your shrubs on a regular basis. Likewise, remove piles of leaves and debris from your yard, as these can give a mosquito a place to hide and breed. If you’re storing wood piles, cover them and place them in containers with lids at least 20 feet from your home.
Use Mosquito-Repelling Plants
There are certain flowers and plants that make great natural mosquito repellents. Certain oils from these plants can help repel mosquitoes and be a great addition to your garden! Consider planting citronella, lavender, marigolds, rosemary, thyme, and basil in your yard to help repel mosquitoes away.
Consider Professional Mosquito Services
Fighting mosquitoes can seem like a never-ending battle, even after you’ve placed preventative measures around your home. Sometimes, it’s best to leave it up to the professionals when dealing with mosquitoes. Consider reaching out to your local pest control company for more information on professional mosquito elimination services. These services will typically offer you traditional and green mosquito control options that target adult and larvae mosquitoes, provide source reduction, and recommend elimination techniques.