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Mosquito Control and Bites
Mosquitoes are annoying pests that can ruin your outdoor activities and cause itchy bites. They can also transmit diseases like malaria, dengue fever and Zika virus. Fortunately, there are some ways to control mosquitoes and prevent bites.
One way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate their breeding sites. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, so you should drain any containers that collect water around your home, such as buckets, flower pots, tires and bird baths. You can also use larvicides or mosquito dunks to kill the larvae in ponds, pools and rain barrels.
Another way to control mosquitoes is to use repellents. You can apply insect repellent products that contain DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil to your skin and clothing. These products can provide protection for several hours. You can also use natural repellents like citronella candles, lavender plants or garlic cloves to deter mosquitoes from your area.
A third way to control mosquitoes is to use traps or nets. You can install mosquito traps that use carbon dioxide, heat or light to attract and kill mosquitoes. These traps can reduce the mosquito population in your vicinity. You can also use mosquito nets to cover your bed, windows or doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
If you do get bitten by a mosquito, you should avoid scratching the bite as it can cause infection and inflammation. You can apply ice, aloe vera gel or calamine lotion to soothe the itchiness and swelling. You can also take antihistamines or painkillers to reduce the discomfort. If you develop a fever, rash or other symptoms of a mosquito-borne disease, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Best Mosquito Repellent
The best mosquito repellents are those that contain active ingredients that have been proven to effectively repel mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using mosquito repellents that contain one of the following active ingredients:
DEET: DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a widely used mosquito repellent that has been shown to be very effective. It is available in a range of concentrations, from 5% to 100%, with higher concentrations providing longer-lasting protection.
Picaridin: Picaridin is another effective mosquito repellent that is odorless, non-greasy, and does not damage synthetic materials. It is available in concentrations of 5% to 20%.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a natural mosquito repellent that is derived from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree. It is effective and has been approved by the CDC as a safe and effective mosquito repellent.
Other mosquito repellent options include IR3535 and 2-undecanone, but these are less commonly used and have less research to support their effectiveness.
It’s important to follow the instructions on the mosquito repellent product label carefully and to reapply as needed, especially if you are sweating or swimming.
How To Get Rid of Mosquitoes
First and foremost is learning where larvae live and how they produce. By eliminating the larvae breeding grounds will reduce adult mosquitoes greatly, reducing mosquito bites to near zero according to Truly Green Pest Control.
- Mosquitoes are attracted to water, especially standing water and stagnant water. These are the first breeding ground to look for when trying to prevent mosquitoes.
- Bird baths are pretty however, they attract mosquitoes in large numbers. Chang the bird bath regularly.
- Non-Drinking water kept around should be treated with larvicides.
- Open cans and bottles usually hold liquid. Get rid of the extra debris of cans and bottles.
- Tree stumps usually hold stagnant water. Remove the tree stumps.
- Gutters usually get clogged with leaves. Clean gutters to prevent larvae from nesting in the clogged damp leaves.
- Baby pools usually set during the summer. Make sure you drain the baby pool on a regular basis.
- Water lawns are very pretty for landscaping. However, too much water will create spots where larvae can breed. Avoid watering too much.
Water features such as goldfish ponds and ponds in general should be monitored to prevent mosquito breeding.
- Did you know certain fish eat mosquitoes such as: goldfish, bluegills, and minnows. Introduce these fish to the pond and have an naturaly mosquito traps.
- Keep the pond and body of water visible by removing excess plants.
- Make sure the pond is mechanically sound by installing water pumps so the water can move freely.
- Add larvicides such as BTI (a bacterium that produces a toxin to kill mosquito larvae) and IGR (insect growth regulator) to bodies of water. Check packaging to ensure fish can survive in the same water before adding chemicals.
- Air breathing larvae will not survive with an alchol derivative that creates a film over the surface of the water. This will drown the breathing larvae of the mosquito ensuring water stays safe
Contact Truly Green Pest Control
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