In Florida, it can seem like mosquito activity will never end. With our tropical, humid weather, mosquitoes thrive and invade our yards looking for standing water to breed. Besides being a nuisance, these pests can also pose health hazards to both humans and animals, transmitting diseases like the West Nile virus and the Zika virus. So, when does mosquito season end in South Florida?
Mosquito Season in Florida
The official mosquito season typically runs from around March through September or October. Though, since Florida is in a tropical area, mosquito season tends to be year-round, often starting as early as February and ending as late as November. While it’s not ideal to deal with mosquitoes year-round, there are certain things you can do around your home to prevent these pests from taking over your yard. Check out our do-it-yourself mosquito control steps you can take to help minimize mosquitoes around your property:
- Eliminate Standing Water: Inspect your property and look for items that can hold water and remove them, including buckets, flowerpots, bird feeders, old tires, wheelbarrows, and more.
- Clean Gutters: Clogged gutters will create a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, who only need a small amount of water to do so. Make sure your gutters are free of debris and leaves, especially after a rainstorm.
- Fill in Hollow Areas: Low lying areas like ditches can collect water, make sure you fill them in with dirt if you spot them. Likewise, make sure to check for logs and stumps holding water and remove them as they can provide a place for mosquitoes to habitat during the cold weather.
- Seal Gaps: Inspect your foundation for any openings and holes, repairing them as soon as you can with caulk or wool steel depending on the size. Likewise, inspect your door and window screens for openings throughout your home and replace them if needed.
- Tidy Your Yard: Mosquitoes like tall grass, shrubbery, and damp woodpiles, making it important to keep your grass mowed and cut your shrubs back regularly. Likewise, store your wood piles at least 20 feet from your home and elevate it off the ground.
- Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Citronella, lavender, marigolds, rosemary, thyme, and basil are all plants and flowers that can help repel mosquitoes because of the oils they contain, consider planting these in your yard.
- Consider a Pro: Fighting mosquitoes can feel like a never-ending battle when you live in South Florida; consider calling a professional pest control company who can provide a mosquito elimination service and control options to prevent them in the future. These mosquito professionals will inspect your yard, provide source reduction, recommend elimination techniques, and target adult and larvae mosquitoes.