The warm weather has set in, and you can finally enjoy some time outdoors in your yard. You’ve cut the grass, raked up the leaves and sticks, and planted some flowers to make your property as nice as possible. But all of that can be ruined by mosquitoes. If you’re finding it difficult to spend time outdoors without being bitten, there are some easy ways to keep mosquitoes out of your yard in Lexington that you should know about.
The warm weather has set in, and you can finally enjoy some time outdoors in your yard. You’ve cut the grass, raked up the leaves and sticks, and planted some flowers to make your property as nice as possible. But all of that can be ruined by mosquitoes. If you’re finding it difficult to spend time outdoors without being bitten, there are some easy ways to keep mosquitoes out of your yard in Lexington that you should know about.
What Are Mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes have existed in one form or another for over 100 million years. These parasitic flying insects feed on the blood of other living creatures. While their appetite for human beings is well-known, some mosquitoes prefer birds, lizards, or other warm-blooded mammals, depending on the species. Like other parasitic pests, such as ticks and fleas, mosquitoes often transmit disease to their victims as they feed.
Mosquitoes require still water to breed. Areas like ponds, basins, and puddles are ideal breeding grounds, but a female mosquito only needs enough water to fill a bottle cap in order to lay her eggs.
Are Mosquitoes Dangerous?
All the deaths caused by sharks, tigers, bears, and other apex predators every year pale in comparison to deaths caused by mosquitoes. They are, pound for pound, the deadliest creature on the planet, responsible for an estimated one million fatalities annually.
Mosquitoes are known to carry a number of dangerous diseases. While most mosquito bites result in nothing more than an annoying, itchy welt, mosquitoes can spread pathogens that cause malaria, West Nile virus, Zika virus, and dengue fever. These diseases can cause severe sickness, birth defects, and even death.
Four Easy Ways To Prevent Mosquitoes In Your Yard
Controlling mosquitoes on your property can seem like a daunting task. After all, these are flying insects that can come and go as they, please. But there are a few surprisingly easy ways that you can reduce the population of mosquitoes in your yard and prevent new mosquitoes from coming in:
Eliminate standing water. Without a source of standing water, mosquitoes can’t breed and continue their life cycle. Inspect your yard for even the smallest sources of still water. Birdbaths, flower pots, and buckets should be emptied. Fill any puddles or swampy areas with gravel or sand.
Maintain a tidy lawn. Mosquitoes like to hide out in overgrown grassy areas. Make sure to cut the lawn regularly and trim back any weeds or vegetation where mosquitoes can congregate.
Don’t forget about your pool. If you’ve got a pool, try to keep it covered when not in use. Use proper chemicals to prevent mosquito larvae from developing.
Use natural pest control. Bats and fish love to eat mosquitoes. Try installing a few bat houses on your property to attract some natural predators. Or if you’re not fond of bats but have a pond on your property, consider introducing some mosquito-eating fish to prevent larvae from growing.
The easiest and most effective way to protect your Lexington yard from mosquitoes and get back to enjoying your time outdoors is with professional support from Lamp’s Pest Solutions. We will work with you to find the mosquito control plan that’s right for you, with both one-time and monthly treatment options available. Our expert technicians will perform larvicide treatment in areas where mosquitoes breed and backpack misting for areas where they hide. When you work with us, we’ll eliminate your mosquito problems at the source. Get in touch with us today to schedule your inspection.