Having Backyard Bonfires in Hermantown? Here's How to Reduce Mosquitoes

You’re sitting in the backyard by the bonfire. Ripples of laughter, conversation, and crackle from the fire make the evening memorable. This summer ritual brings your family and friends together in a way unlike anything else. 

But in Hermantown, you might notice a little (or a lot) of buzzing and biting while trying to enjoy the fire. You were always told campfire smoke repels mosquitoes, so why are they swarming? Well, that piece of advice isn’t as reliable as you think. 

So, why do mosquitoes keep swarming around your summer bonfires? 

Smoke Doesn't Kill Mosquitoes

While smoke can deter some mosquitoes in the immediate area, it won't repel all of them. Mosquitoes downwind will be unaffected and stop at nothing to buzz around and bite you. So, if you're depending only on smoke to discourage mosquitoes from stopping by, it likely won't work.

Citronella candles and tiki torches operate similarly. But they also get far more credit than they deserve. Like smoke, they may reduce activity in a very small, immediate radius under still conditions, but they do nothing to target the population resting on other parts of your property. 

Hermantown's Geography Doesn't Help

St. Louis County near Duluth sits in northeastern Minnesota's heaviest mosquito territory. Wetlands, wooded areas, and low-lying terrain surrounding Hermantown keep mosquitoes happy for the long haul (June through September). So, what does this mean for you? Well, if the surrounding areas have mosquitoes, you’re bound to have them too. 

Wooded borders and vegetation found on Hermantown yards provide the perfect shade for mosquitoes to rest, reset, and multiply. So, by the time you're lighting the bonfire in the evening, those mosquitoes have been resting all afternoon. And they’re ready to turn your bonfire night into a swarm-fest. 

Evenings Are Mosquito Prime Time

The most common mosquito species are most active at dawn and dusk. So, when temperatures drop, humidity rises, and the wind settles down, they’re ready to come out and feast. The still, warm summer air makes flying easier for flimsy insects like mosquitoes. This is why your mosquito problem always seems worse during your evening fire.

And, if you’re having a large group of people together, you’ll collectively attract more mosquitoes. Increased body heat and extra CO2 will give mosquitoes an opportunity they can’t refuse. 

How to Prepare Your Backyard for Bonfires in Hermantown

Managing mosquitoes while trying to have your bonfire isn’t fun at all. So, do yourself a favor and reduce mosquito populations before the big event. 

Start with the basics: 

• Walk the yard and eliminate standing water - Look out for containers or low spots that easily collect water. 
• Clear out vegetation close to the fire area and keep grass trimmed - Removing the nearby resting habitat reduces the number of mosquitoes that will swarm at the bonfire. 
• Remove debris - Extra leaves, branches, and other debris on your property can collect moisture and provide places for mosquitoes to rest. 

Our Barrier Treatment Plus service targets the shaded areas, wooded borders, and vegetation around your outdoor gathering spaces. Applied on a 21-day cycle, it keeps mosquito control working through the heart of Hermantown's summer season, so every bonfire night isn't a battle. This way, we’ll make sure you can have as many bonfires as you want this summer. 

If you're planning a one-time event and want targeted protection for that specific occasion, Special Event Sprays are available to treat your yard ahead of the gathering. We’ll give you peace of mind so you can truly enjoy your event. 

Planning bonfires in Hermantown this summer? Call Mosquito Squad of NE Minnesota at (218) 325-9495 or contact us online for a free quote.