Although there’s a lot to love about the summer season, the warm temperature and heavy rains give way to an influx of mosquitoes. This makes the season not so enjoyable. Here are ten ways to prepare your home for mosquito season to help you make the most of summer.
While you plan fun outdoor activities for your family the entire winter, you would hate it if mosquitoes keep you from bringing your plans into action. This happens especially when summer finally arrives!
To keep these annoying, buzzing mosquitoes away from your home, you need to take precautionary measures. Not to mention avoid the potential health risks that come with their itchy bites. You don’t want to spend your summer running after mosquitoes with a spray repellent in your hand!
We know that preventing and fighting mosquitoes is a continual process as summer is the official mosquito season. But preparing your home for it can make things lot easier for you later.
Here are ten effective ways to prepare your home for mosquito season.
First things first, get rid of breeding grounds
Your first line of prevention against mosquitoes should be the elimination of their breeding grounds. These pesky insects usually hatch in open water. So you must ensure no rain gutters, buckets, boats, pet food bowls, or low areas with sitting water exist. Mosquitoes do not require a deep pool to lay eggs. Even a bottle cap full of water will be enough for them!
Moreover, do not take forever to fix leaks as they might lead to small puddles. Any water that stands for more than a week is an ideal breeding place for mosquitoes. Do not let these insects enjoy this comfort.
Keep mosquito repelling plants
Certain plants like lemon balm plant, catnip, marigolds, horsemint, ageratum, and basil plant have natural mosquito-fighting properties. Rose scented geraniums containing citronella oil also help in keeping these insects away.
Plant these natural repellents in your home to get rid of mosquitoes, and enjoy a worry-free summer with your family!
Let mosquito predators feed on them
Mosquito predators, such as ducks, chickens, frogs, and fish will also help you in fighting mosquitoes. They will eat the annoying bloodsuckers and thus, keep their population in control. Although this technique will not eliminate all the mosquitoes, it will surely prove helpful along with other methods.
Use citronella candles
Citronella candles are known for keeping mosquitoes away. Light up a few and set them around whilst you enjoy reading a book in your favorite corner of the house. Moreover, you can light them before you go to bed. These candles will make sure that the mosquitoes leave you and your family members alone while you enjoy deep slumber.
Fit the doors and windows with a screen
To restrict mosquitoes from entering your home completely, ensure every door and window is fitted with mesh screens. These screens keep mosquitoes and other insects at bay. They allow you to enjoy the warm summer breeze in the safety of your home.
Look out for any small gaps
Even after fitting mesh screens everywhere, look for small gaps or holes. No matter how tiny space is, mosquitoes will find their way through them. Thus, use small patches of mesh screen or silicone to close up all the gaps. Do not let mosquitoes sneak in.
Blocking these gaps and holes is very important; otherwise, there is no point of screening the doors and windows.
Use mosquito netting
You can never be too careful when it comes to taking preventive measures against mosquitoes. Use mosquito netting on top of beds and cribs to protect yourself and your family. This will serve as an additional safeguard during the night. You would not want to wake up itching yourself from a mosquito bite.
Throw out unnecessary items
Getting rid of things that you barely use, let alone touch, is certainly a sensible thing to do when preparing your home. Look around your home for any old tires, unused toys of your kids, and other objects. These objects may hold water and become a breeding haven for mosquitoes.
Throwing out all unnecessary items means providing mosquitoes no place to lay eggs.
Focus on maintaining your front yard
Maintaining a well-kept yard is yet another way to prepare your home for mosquito season. Several treatment options are available when it comes to applying something to the yard to combat an army of mosquitoes. This will ensure minimum mosquito presence around your home.
In addition to this, look for any dips in your yard that can become puddles in rainy weather. Fill and level them off. Another crucial thing to consider is installing bubblers that do not allow water to stand in ponds. Also, introducing mosquito-feeding fish in the pond will serve as an amazing natural preventive measure.
Use mosquito repelling products
To protect yourself from a mosquito bite, consider applying the lemon balm, basil, or catnip on the skin. Reapply after every few minutes when it dries off. Moreover, remember not to use perfumed soap and shampoo because mosquitoes tend to get attracted to perfumes.
You would not want to invite them to bite you now, would you?
Conclusion
Mosquitoes are not only annoying but are also harmful to your health. This is because they feed on your blood. Prevention of these insect vampires is important to nip a mosquito infestation in the bud. It is needless to say that this is always a smart move!
With summer season coming ahead, you should take some preventive measures to prepare your home. Screening the doors and windows, using mosquito-repelling plants, animals, and products are effective. Additionally, sleep in mosquito nets, clean your house for any extra junk, take care of your front garden. Most importantly, do not give mosquitoes a suitable breeding site.
These natural means of prevention will allow you to have a mosquito-free home. You can enjoy with your family because that is what summer season is meant for!