There are many things to love about the warm summer months, from sunny days at the beach to the cheerful sound of the ice cream truck driving down the street. However, there are some aspects of summer that aren’t so pleasant, including mosquitoes.
While getting a couple of mosquito bites during the summer months is to be expected, these flying pests can be dangerous to humans due to the many diseases they carry. According to the CDC, there are over 200 types of mosquitoes in the United States and US territories, and 12 of these types of mosquitoes carry diseases that can be harmful to humans.
Mosquitoes may rightfully be called one of the most dangerous bugs in New Jersey, especially since they can carry deadly disease.
This summer, don’t let you and your loved ones get eaten alive. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of mosquitoes so you can have a fun and relaxing summer.
How Dangerous Are Mosquitoes?
While most mosquito bites are relatively harmless, these pests often carry diseases like West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and Malaria. Mosquito bites can also be dangerous to people who have an allergy to them, such as Skeeter Syndrome, which is a large allergic reaction to mosquito bites that causes significant inflammation.
Additionally, pregnant women should try to avoid coming into contact with mosquitoes as much as possible, as the diseases they spread can be harmful to both mom and baby.
How to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Due to the prevalence of diseases that mosquitoes carry, it’s critical to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible. Here are some tips:
- Limit time spent outdoors at night
- Use bug spray to deter mosquitoes
- Wear long sleeves at night
- Try to stay cool– mosquitoes are attracted to pheromones in sweat
- Eliminate standing water around your home
- Avoid wearing too many scented products
- Burn citronella candles when spending time outdoors
- Use a fan to get rid of mosquitoes: Fans can disrupt their flights, making it difficult for them to land.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Yard
Mosquitoes can generally strike inside or outside your home. For this reason, we divided our mosquito prevention tips for both areas.
Here are some tips to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard.
- Remove standing water- Bird baths, water fountains that are not being used, and kiddie pools are all great places for mosquitoes to dwell.
- Clear debris and clutter- Things like piles of dead leaves, tree branches, overgrown vegetation, and even lawn furniture can attract mosquitoes to your yard
- Grow Mosquito-Repelling Plants- Plants like citronella and lavender are known to deter mosquitoes.
- Use an insecticide- Apply only to areas where you frequently see mosquitoes to minimize any negative effects.
- Introduce natural predators- Hang bird feeders around your yard; birds are known to feed on mosquitoes.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Home
In rare instances, a mosquito can enter your home. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this.
- Purchase door strips to seal any possible entryways and prevent mosquitoes from entering.
- Inspect your air conditioning unit; leaking or pooled water from your A.C. can attract mosquitoes.
- Keep mosquito-repelling plants inside. Keeping a potted lavender or citronella plant on your windowsill can deter mosquitoes.
- Use the soap and water method. Fill a dish with a combination of dish soap and water and put it in rooms where you have seen mosquitoes to catch and kill them.
As always, preventative pest control will be your best option to control mosquitoes. But when that doesn’t work, you’ll need to call in the experts.
When to Call a Mosquito Control Expert
Seeing the odd mosquito in your home isn’t usually a big deal, but if you begin to notice several of these pests flying around, you may want to contact a mosquito control expert to take care of the problem. Being that mosquitoes can carry a number of dangerous diseases, a mosquito infestation is not something to take likely. Call a trusted pest control company at the first sign of a problem.
FAQs
What smell do mosquitoes hate?
Citronella is one of the most universally recognized mosquito-repellent scents, with many people opting to burn citronella candles or even grow citronella plants outside of the home. In addition to citronella, mosquitoes are also known to dislike the smell of lavender, lemongrass, and lemon balm, so burning candles with these scents or even dabbing essential oils on your wrists can help deter these pests from biting you.
Do dryer sheets repel mosquitoes?
People have been using dryer sheets for years as a DIY way to repel mosquitoes, but there is little evidence to support this practice. Still, it doesn’t hurt to try. To use the dryer sheet method, simply rub scented dryer sheets on your arms and legs before going outside– the dandruff-like powder the dryer sheets leave behind is said to prevent mosquitoes from landing and sucking your blood.
Do mosquito bracelets work?
Mosquito bracelets are great options for people who don’t want to be bothered with applying bug spray before going outdoors. Mosquito bracelets contain scents that are known to deter mosquitoes, such as citronella, lavender, and lemongrass, and can be worn for several days before the scent wears off. However, these bracelets are typically not as effective as traditional bug sprays, so you may not get the same amount of protection when wearing these bands.