Keep Mosquitoes off Your Property
Mosquitoes are annoying and can ruin an otherwise pleasant evening outdoors. Keep your family and friends safe from these bothersome insects. Here are a few tips on how to repel mosquitoes from your home and property so you can enjoy outdoor spaces mosquito-free.
Secure Your Windows and Doors
To prevent mosquitoes from getting inside your home, make sure the screens on your windows are intact with no holes or damage. Replace any missing or badly damaged screens. If you like leaving the door open, install a screen door to help block insects from entering your home.
Remove Stagnant Water to Repel Mosquitoes from Your Home
Check around your home to see what might be attracting mosquitoes. Stagnant water is the perfect breeding ground for these insects. Remove any areas of stagnant water including:
- puddles
- buckets or other containers that collect rainwater
- clogged gutters
Locate the problem areas on your property. Fill in holes where puddles form. Empty buckets and other containers and store them inside a shed where they can no longer collect rainwater. Clean out birdbaths every few days. Check outdoor drains and fix any leaky faucets. Clean the gutters around your home to prevent water from pooling there and becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Killing Mosquito Larvae
If you see mosquito larvae inside a bucket, tire, or another container, dump the water out. Mosquito larvae cannot survive out of water. If you dump the water, the larvae will die. Another way to kill off larvae is to add a drop of liquid soap to the water. You only need one drop of soap per gallon of water to kill the larvae in about a day.
Use Plants to Repel Mosquitoes from Your Home
After removing standing water from your property, add mosquito-repellent plants to the flower beds. Mosquitoes dislike marigolds, rosemary, citronella, scented geraniums, lavender, and bee balm. These plants are generally easy to care for and will help keep mosquitoes at bay.
Burn Citronella Candles
Burning citronella candles is a quick way to drive the insects away from a backyard picnic. The candles are a temporary measure that protects against mosquitoes in the immediate area. Citronella incense sticks and citronella-scented paraffin fuel for outdoor torches are also options for keeping mosquitoes away.
Oasis Home Inspections offers home inspections to customers in Brevard County, Florida. Contact us to schedule our services.