5 Steps to Help Keep Your Yard Mosquito Free

Eliminate Standing Water

It has become my habit, the day after we have any amount of rain, to walk around the yard looking for anything that water has collected in. There is always something – a trash can without a lid, a flower pot with poor drainage, kids’ toys left on the lawn. A soda bottle cap of water can be enough for mosquitoes to reproduce. Mosquito eggs are viable up to seven years after they are laid and they go from eggs to flying and biting mosquitoes very quickly. Scary, I know, but you can help keep your yard free of mosquitoes between sprays by eliminating any standing water on your property.

Tie

If you’re using a tarp to cover a pile of firewood, a boat, your grill or any other large items, make sure it’s tied tight. Otherwise, rainwater pools in the folds. If the tarp can’t be pulled tight, remove it so the water drains.

Toss

Really, we’re our own worst enemy. We create mosquito habitats close to our house. So if your yard is full of items you don’t need that are holding water, get rid of them.

Turn

Turn over kid’s toys, buckets, wading pools, and anything else that holds water but you don’t want to throw out should be flipped over when not in use so they don’t collect with water.

Tip

Tip over all other containers, such as this pot I found in my yard. This is the perfect environment for mosquitoes. It is also a good idea to ensure that your gutters are clear of debris so the water can drain freely. This is an item that is often overlooked, but will definitely hinder your effort to rid your yard of mosquitoes.
 

Treat

Treat with Mosquito Squad!

Turn Over Even Dry Containers

Remove or turn containers upside down since the airborne pests leave their eggs in currently dry containers. When filled with rain water the eggs will hatch.

Mood Lighting

Lights attract small bugs which attract bigger bugs looking for a tasty meal. By replacing existing outdoor light for opaque yellow bug lights you may reduce the influx of the flying pests in your yard. Because of different light wavelengths, bug lights are less visible to insects thus causing less bugs swarming around at night.

Clean Fountains, Bird Baths and Water Gardens

Refresh the water in bird baths at least once a week. Consider installing filters and bubblers in fountains, fish ponds and water gardens.

Keep the Air Moving

Use a fan. Mosquitoes are poor flyers. They can’t circumnavigate in a stiff breeze. It’s a great way of dealing with them. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, floor and stand-up fans are also effective options.

Dining Outdoors

When eating outdoors, bring a halved lemon (or lime) to the table and stud it with whole cloves to keep away flies and other pesky bugs.

Call Mosquito Squad

If you are not already using our services, call us at (781) 471-5793 for a free quote.

Mosquito Squad of Boston Metro South serves: Abington, Avon, Braintree, Brockton (02301), Canton, Cohasset, Dorchester (02124), Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Milton, Quincy, Randolph, Weymouth and Wollaston.