With the rainy season approaching, it won’t be long before those pesky, bloodsucking summer mosquitoes take to the air. Heavy downpours and king tides soak the landscape and cause mosquito eggs to hatch. Here’s your guide to a mosquito-free summer. Follow these tips to avoid mosquito bites and find the best solution to eliminate mosquitoes this season.
Guide to a Mosquitoes-Free Summer
Mosquito Basics
These annoying biting insects live in most parts of the world. Some can be vectors, spreading germs to people and animals. Some of these mosquito-borne diseases include:
- Zika Virus
- West Nile Virus
- Malaria
- Dengue
Standing water, such as wading pools, buckets, or birdbaths, make prime mosquito breeding grounds. Removing these standing water items is the first important step to control the mosquito population.
Use a Mosquito Zapper
Bug zappers attract mosquitoes and other bugs to the UV light that is emitted and electrocutes them. These battery-operated devices, which come in racquets or bulbs, are reasonably affordable and easy to set up.
They should be set up five to ten feet from where you spend time outdoors. Most are portable, but they are not the best choice for indoor use. Be wary of zappers that market carbon dioxide as an attractant.
Mosquito Killers
These devices plug into electrical outlets in your home. You place a “mat” over the heating element, which releases diethyltoluamide (DEET), a toxin, into the air. DEET kills mosquitoes but has no effect on humans. It’s a great, affordable choice to prevent the mozzies from flying around your bedroom at night.
Burn a Citronella Candle or Coil
There are many brands offering citronella candles and coils for outdoor mosquito prevention. The scent of citronella repels mosquitos. Citronella, as the name implies, has a citrus scent. However, some people find the smell of this repellant sickening.
The citronella plant does not repel mosquitos. However, some natural mosquito-repelling plants include:
- Lavender
- Mint
- Petunia
- Lemon Balm and Lemongrass
Turn on the Fan
If you don’t want to use repellants, blowing a fan over you is an easy way to keep away pests. Mosquitoes don’t have strong wings and can’t withstand the force of a strong fan blowing against their flight path.
We recommend using a floor fan instead of a ceiling fan. Floor fans have stronger wind speeds, while ceiling fans might not have the power to keep the mozzies at bay.
Use Repellants To Keep Summer Mosquitoes Away
Spray and cream repellants featuring chemical ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or natural ingredients like lemon eucalyptus oil greatly deter mosquitoes. The CDC recommends DEET to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Spray them every few hours for lasting protection, especially during peak mosquito season.
Wear Long Sleeves And Long Pants
Wearing long sleeves and pants is a simple way to keep mosquitoes off your skin. However, that’s easier said than done in sweltering hot conditions. Still, if it’s a cool evening, dressing in longs helps to keep the mosquitoes away.
Interestingly, research shows mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. Keep that in mind and go for paler colors. Who would have thought mosquitoes were part of the fashion police?
Drink Tonic Water
Tonic water contains quinine, a medication used to treat malaria in Southeast Asia and Africa. Originally, tonic water was made to help British sailors who visited these regions. This is where the invention of the “gin and tonic” beverage comes from. If you drink tonic water, the quinine in the beverage permeates your skin, making you unappealing to mosquitoes.
Avoid Beer & Cheese
Research shows that eating strong cheeses like Limburger can make you more appealing to mosquitoes. The smelly aroma of Limburger occurs due to the bacteria used to ferment the cheese. Interestingly, this bacterium has characteristics similar to the bacteria growing between our toes. Mozzies use this scent to identify you, and it’s why they like biting around the ankles. Beer has a similar problem, making you a mozzie magnet. So, wear shoes if you’re sitting outside.
Use a Mosquito Net
Mosquito nets fit to the ceiling above your bed. You unfurl them and drape them around the corners of the mattress, ensuring there are no gaps between the net and the bed. This simple strategy prevents mosquitoes from getting at you during the night. The nets are affordable and a must-have item if you’re vacationing in areas like the Florida Keys this summer. Take one with you and set it up to the fan above the bed.
Wrapping Up
Mosquito control is important for many reasons. This guide gives you choices so you can enjoy bug-free time outdoors. Speak to the professionals at your local pest control company to keep summer mosquitoes from ruining your season.
Hire a Professional – ABC Termite & Pest Control Company – Omaha & Lincoln
Find a reputable pest control company in Omaha or Lincoln that you TRUST and ask about their termite inspection and pest management services. You may think you are saving money however, a single misapplication could have significant and adverse or deadly consequences for you or your loved ones. Contact ABC Termite & Pest Control in Omaha & Lincoln, NE to talk with an exterminator today!
