If you’re one who lives for long, hot summer days around the water, you’re not alone. Mosquitoes also can be found hanging around the pool, lake, and other water feature all summer long. Fortunately, there are several easy summer mosquito control techniques to try so that these pests don’t ruin your summer fun.

Mosquito Facts

Part of learning how to control mosquitoes is knowing where to find them. Mosquitoes thrive in anything that holds even a small amount of water:

• Rain barrels
• Fish ponds
• Birdbaths
• Wading pools
• Old tires
• Clogged gutters
• Flower holders

And, of course they also live in naturally wet areas:

• Woodland pools
• Slow-moving streams
• Ditches
• Marshes
• Edges of lakes
• Tree cavities

Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite. They often feed on birds, dogs, horses, and other outdoor animals, as well as humans, and use the protein found in blood to nourish their eggs. Mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs on the surface of water anywhere it accumulates. This is why it’s important to prevent any standing water where you can.

Outdoor Mosquito Control

One of the easiest ways to help prevent mosquitoes from attacking is to prevent them from hanging out around your home. You can control their breeding sites by getting rid of standing water.

• Clean out any place water collects around your home and garden.
• Drain stagnant pools and puddles.
• Add top-feeding minnows to ponds.
• Tightly cover any area that stores water, including cisterns, septic tanks, rain barrels, etc.
• Throw away tin cans, old tires or unnecessary water containers.
• Turn wading pools upside down when not in use.
• Keep rain gutters clean and flat roofs dry.
• Fill tree holes with sand and seal with mortar.
• Remove tree stumps that may hold water.

If you’re still getting bit, remember these tips:

• Mosquitoes are most active just after dark.
• During the day, they nest in cool, dark areas of your garden. Keep your grass, shrubs, and other plants trimmed to limit nesting areas.
• They are attracted to light, so limit outdoor lighting unless it’s used to capture them.

There are also professional mosquito control services available. First, a thorough inspection is done to locate current and potential breeding sites. Then, a mosquito treatment is applied to help prevent mosquitoes for several weeks.

Mosquito Repellent

Be careful to read any warnings and directions before using mosquito repellent on yourself, children, or pets. Most repellents contain the active ingredient DEET, and can provide hours of protection depending on activity and temperature.

There are certain topical repellents as well as others for clothing and outdoor gear. Covering skin while outdoors is another way to help keep the bugs off, but you shouldn’t cover skin already applied with repellent.

Indoor Mosquito Control

Just because mosquitoes thrive outside, doesn’t mean they won’t try to venture inside to eat. Help prevent them from coming in by eliminating any wet breeding areas around doors and windows. Keep any accessway closed during the day while they’re active. Use screens in all doors and windows if they are open.

For more information on mosquito control, and for a professional inspection of your home, contact Cardinal Lawns today.