You might be surprised to learn that mosquitoes like to do many of the same things that we Southerners like to do during the summer. This includes hanging out in shady areas during the day, becoming more active outdoors at dusk when it’s a little cooler, and seeking out pools and other bodies of water.

It’s no wonder that mosquitoes are such a nuisance. It seems like you can’t get away from them! Even if you try to avoid skeeters, they go looking for you. That’s because they feed on blood and are attracted by the carbon dioxide that you exhale with every breath.

But mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. They are known to carry a range of dangerous diseases that they can pass on when they bite you. These diseases range from Dengue fever and malaria to the more recently discovered Zika virus.

Limit the Attractions

There are some things you can do to make your yard less of a mosquito hang-out. To do so, you need to understand what attracts mosquitoes.

• Mosquitoes need water as a place to lay eggs, so eliminate any sources of standing water on your property. Empty out buckets and childrens’ toys where water has accumulated, and empty out the saucers under potted plants each time you water them.
• Mosquitoes like shady, leafy areas to hide out in when the sun is out in full force. Reduce the number of skeeter hiding places by keeping grass and weeds mowed and by trimming back overhanging branches and large shrubbery.
• Mosquitoes are attracted to sweet smells, like perfume. Don’t wear perfumes while spending time outdoors. Instead, use insect repellant and consider lighting citronella candles.

Call Proven Pest Management

While these steps will likely reduce the number of mosquitoes flying around in your yard (and therefore the number of mosquitoes that bite you) these steps only go so far. For more complete control of a serious mosquito problem, your yard should have professional treatments. 

Proven Pest Management offers a mosquito treatment plan that treats your entire yard. Our trained technicians apply a growth regulator which stops mosquitoes’ breeding cycle. We’ll treat areas where mosquitoes are found during the day, typically in shrubbery and trees around your property.

If you have ornamental pools or ponds on your property, we can treat those bodies of water, too, to help eliminate mosquitoes from your yard.

The best way to control mosquitoes is with regular treatments of the areas around your home and yard. Please contact Proven Pest Management to discuss setting up a treatment plan to combat mosquitoes and other pests that are ruining your summer.