Mosquitoes can carry dangerous diseases and bacteria. It usually hurts when they bite you, and their bites can keep itching for days and might even get infected. People with sensitive skin are especially vulnerable to experiencing irritation and infection when afflicted with mosquito bites. While these issues aren’t fun to deal with, the biggest threats posed by mosquitoes are the diseases they carry. West Nile Virus is the most common disease carried by mosquitoes in the United States, but outbreaks of Dengue Fever, Zika Virus, and other serious diseases have also been found in the U.S. These diseases come from bloodborne pathogens that are transferred by mosquitoes who have bitten an infected person or animal and then bit another person or animal. Although not all species of mosquitoes carry all of these diseases, it’s almost impossible for the average person to tell the difference between various mosquito species. The safest bet is to do everything you can to avoid any contact with all mosquitoes. Calling in some professional pest control help is the fastest and most effective way to deal with a mosquito infestation. In the meantime, there are additional steps you can take to get rid of mosquitoes and reduce your likelihood of attracting them to your property.

Eliminate pools of stagnant water:

Don’t let standing water remain on your property after it rains or collects due to condensation or moisture dripping from an air conditioner unit. Mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water to lay their eggs, which hatch into larvae (baby insects). Even a couple of inches of standing water in the bottom of an old bucket is plenty of room for mosquitoes to lay countless eggs, leading to countless new mosquitoes infesting your backyard.

Lay cedar mulch:

Mosquitoes are attracted to damp areas, which can be easy to find in gardens, especially during summertime when gardens are watered heavily. Covering your gardens in cedar mulch will help absorb extra moisture, making the garden less attractive to mosquitoes.

Plant deterrents:

Some mosquito deterrent plants include catnip, basil, lemon balm, lavender, thyme, garlic, citronella, peppermint, sage, rosemary, and geranium. Try adding these plants to your yard, either in containers or in beds, to naturally deter mosquitoes.

Use yellow LED light bulbs:

Like many insects, mosquitoes are attracted to the warmth of conventional light bulbs often used in porch lights. Luckily, mosquitoes are less attracted to yellow LED lighting, making this an ideal choice for outdoor lighting.

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