DIY Mosquito Control: How to Get Rid of Pesky Insects

Mosquito control is an important part of enjoying your yard in the summer, especially in North Carolina!

While mosquitoes play a role in the food chain, we find them irritating as we try to grill and eat dinner outside. Many Raleigh and Cary residents are looking for do-it-yourself ways to keep the yard more comfortable. Here are some ideas:

● Prevent breeding. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, so make sure you don’t have any standing water in your yard, even in small amounts. Make sure your gutter spouts drain well. If you have a rain barrel, you can drop vegetable oil on the water surface to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
● Add predators. Move any spiders you find in your house outside so they can catch bugs. Encourage dragonflies, which eat mosquitoes. Install birdhouses in your yard. Not all birds eat mosquitoes, unfortunately; the ones that do include migratory songbirds, purple martins, swallows, and waterfowl like geese and ducks. Swallows are fairly common in our part of North Carolina, and purple martins live here in the east. They each have different preferences for birdhouse shapes, so research which types of house to install. You can also install a bat house to try to attract bats. Mosquitoes aren’t a bat’s favorite meal, but they will help control your general insect population.
● Prevent bites. Wear light-colored clothing, use mosquito repellent, and be sure to add screens to windows, doors, and maybe even your porch. Read up on what attracts mosquitoes to bite.
● Plant citronella. Some plants are known to help repel mosquitoes, though their effectiveness varies. Try citronella, basil, marigolds, catnip, lavender, and lemon balm. Some of these plants all have a pleasant smell to them and have other uses, too. (Warning: Planting catnip might draw a few felines to your yard!)
● Keep a tidy yard. Trim bushes and shrubs, rake leaves, and cut the grass weekly. Mosquitoes love to hang out in tall grass and shrubs.

Rid Your Yard of Mosquitoes
While these DIY steps will help reduce your mosquito population, the only way to truly get rid of mosquitoes in your yard is to spray regularly. Contact us to learn more about our 100% safe spraying services.

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