After a long, hot summer, the team here at EnviroCon is looking forward to the fall season! Cooler temperatures, football, get-togethers outside–what’s not to love? Unfortunately, just because it’s fall doesn’t mean we’re safe from mosquitoes–they’ll stick around for a little bit until the temperatures start to cool down drastically.
Having mosquitoes in your yard doesn’t mean you have to surrender your fall fun. Check out our tips on how to enjoy your yard this fall without the constant swatting and itching associated with mosquitoes.
Why Mosquitoes are So Dangerous
Mosquitoes aren’t only annoying because of their buzzing and itchy bites–they’re also extremely dangerous. In fact, they are one of the deadliest animals in the world, killing millions of people every year. When you think of scary, dangerous animals, you probably don’t think of mosquitoes–but with the diseases they carry and transmit, they’re a huge cause for concern. Recently, mosquitoes have been big in the news the last few months with the spread of the Zika Virus–a disease spread by mosquitoes that typically presents itself as flu-like symptoms. Although it’s generally mild, it can cause birth defects in pregnant women. Other diseases that can be transmitted by mosquitoes include:
- West Nile Virus
- Malaria
- Yellow fever
- Dengue
- And many more
How to Prevent Mosquitoes
Your best bet to enjoy your yard without mosquitoes and protect your family is to prevent them from getting into your yard in the first place. Check out these prevention tips below:
- Drain excess water from your landscape. Mosquitoes use standing water as their breeding ground, so to reduce the amount of mosquitoes that are in your yard, drain pools and ponds, sop up puddles, and dry out drainage areas. Mosquitoes only need small amounts of water to breed (about the size of a bottle cap), so be sure to check flowerpots and other small containers for water, and drain those too.
- Use mosquito repelling plants in your garden. There are many different species of plants that are not only good at repelling mosquitoes, but are also attractive, fragrant, and easy to grow! Some great varieties to try include basil, catnip, citronella, and mint. Grow these near areas where you have seen mosquitoes frequently in the past, and stick some in your windowsills and around your sitting areas as well to provide additional protection.
- Use essential oils around your yard. Essential oils can have the same repelling effect as mosquito repellent plants, but may work better around your home. Try putting essential oils like citronella, lemon balm, or mint around doorways and windowsills to keep mosquitoes outside where they belong. You can also put these on your skin to help prevent bites.
- Keep your yard clean. Mosquitoes can use yard debris and plant matter as breeding and hiding areas, so keeping a clean yard is a must when you want to keep mosquitoes at bay. Check your yard regularly and clean up any piles of fall leaves, fallen branches, and other yard litter.
- Mow your lawn! This is a big one. Mosquitoes will usually hide out in your lawn during the day, so make sure you mow your lawn regularly so they don’t have a hide-out spot. The longer your grass and the more vegetation, the better they can hide.
- Use insect lights. When we spend time outside at night, our lights on the porch or in the yard can attract many different insects–including mosquitoes. Instead of using conventional light bulbs in these fixtures, consider switching to insect lights, which are specially made to provide the light you need without attracting bugs to your outdoor spaces. Using these lights instead of regular ones can make a big impact when you are trying to avoid not only mosquitoes but other flying insects as well.
Four Ways to Enjoy Your Yard This Fall
- Host a backyard football tournament. Fall is the start of football season, so why not get in on the fun yourself by hosting a touch football tournament with your neighbors and friends? Divide your participants into teams and have a ball! Afterwards, you can set up the grill and treat everyone to some great grub after the game. Bonus points if you hold a tailgate in your yard before the game!
- Plan a backyard scavenger hunt! This is the perfect game if you’ve got little kids to entertain during the fall season. Make a list of things your kids and the neighbors can help find around your yard, and make sure to have a prize at the end. To really get in the fall spirit, challenge the kids to find a leaf in every one of the fall colors (red, yellow, orange, and brown).
- Hold your very own Oktoberfest. If you love cooking out, this idea is for you! Invite your friends and neighbors over for some brews and yummy foods, and make it easy by making it a potluck. You can even raise the stakes by holding a competition for the best dish, and have a great time trying them all.
- Enjoy a fire pit. You can either purchase a store-bought fire pit from your local hardware or garden supply store, or you can make one easily with a few tools and a weekend of work. Gather your family around your fire pit to roast marshmallows and make s’mores. The cooler weather in the fall is perfect for snuggling up next to the fire and enjoying the warmth on a chilly fall evening.
Professional Treatment Provides the Best Results
Even with these prevention tips, you may still have some of these annoying insects buzzing around and ruining your outdoor fun. For the most effective mosquito control, consider a professional treatment for your yard. EnviroCon offers professional mosquito services that will eliminate the existing mosquito population and prevent future ones from occurring. You’ll be able to enjoy your backyard without having to worry about mosquitoes crashing your fun! View our mosquito control in our markets:
Mosquito Control in the Woodlands | Mosquito Control in Kingwood | Mosquito Control in Katy | Mosquito Control in Cypress