There are many things that summer has to offer, but mosquitoes are not one of them. A mosquito bite or whine can ruin a perfect day. There are many, if not hundreds, of them. These annoying characteristics are not the only ones that mosquitoes have. They can also transmit diseases such as the West Nile virus and encephalitis.

Mosquitoes are fast-growing pests that can quickly take over your yard. Once they do, it can be difficult to eradicate them. These tips will help you reduce or eliminate their number.

Get Rid of Standing Water

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding, you should first inspect your property for any standing water or stagnant water. This is the place where mosquitoes lay eggs. You can stop them from reproducing and multiplying by disposing of or diverting water in buckets, garbage containers, tarps, or other areas that may contain water.

Keep Your Pool Clean

It won't matter if you have an above-ground or in-ground pool. To repel mosquitoes and keep them away from laying eggs, you need to keep them clean and chlorinated. Water circulation and water filtration are key to keeping water moving and clean. Your pool cover will keep bugs out of your pool and prevent chemicals from evaporating. Regularly empty your pet's or child's wading pool. The area around the pool should also be cleaned of any potential water accumulations.

Encourage Drainage

Your landscape may accumulate water from frequent rainfalls or excessive watering. These areas can be filled with soil to level the ground or channel water to improve drainage.

Clear Gutters

Leaves and other materials can build up over time in your gutters, which could prevent them from draining properly. We offer professional gutter cleaning services that are affordable and easy to maintain your gutters clear of debris. Make sure your downspouts have a strategic location and are maintained to ensure water flows away from the area.

Take care of your landscape

Overgrown vegetation and long, cool grass are great hiding spots for mosquitoes in the heat of the summer. To keep your grass healthy and neat, make sure you trim your shrubs and bushes.

Repel Mosquitoes

Citronella grass acts as a natural repellent to mosquitoes and masks the smells that attract them to humans. The following plants have been shown to be effective in reducing or eliminating the presence of mosquitoes:

• Lavender
• Marigolds
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Catnip
• Geranium scents

Keep Things Moving

Although a backyard pond can be a beautiful feature in the landscape, it attracts mosquitoes due to its combination of still water with plant life. If your climate and lifestyle permit, you might consider installing a fountain or an aerator or adding a variety of fish that are known for eating mosquito larvae, such as goldfish, killifish, or guppies.

Change Your Lighting

Regular bulbs emit light that attracts most insects, including mosquitoes. You can replace your outdoor bulbs with yellow "bug lights," which emit light on a different wavelength and are less attractive to pests.