Mosquitoes — Quit Being Bit!

There’s nothing quite like relaxing on the patio after a long day — until mosquitoes show up. Beyond being annoying, these tiny pests can carry diseases and quickly turn an enjoyable evening outdoors into a constant battle with itchy bites.

Eliminate Standing Water

Mosquitoes need very little water to reproduce. A female can lay hundreds of eggs in something as small as a bottle cap filled with rainwater. Each week, inspect your yard for places where water collects, including:

• Birdbaths
• Plant saucers
• Children’s toys
• Buckets and watering cans
• Wheelbarrows
• Clogged gutters
• Tarps
• Old tires

Empty, clean, or store these items upside down whenever possible. Refresh birdbath water every two to three days to prevent mosquito larvae from developing.

Keep Your Lawn Well Maintained

Mosquitoes avoid direct sunlight and prefer cool, shaded areas where they can rest during the day. Reduce their hiding places by:

• Mowing the lawn regularly
• Trimming shrubs and hedges
• Removing tall weeds
• Pruning overgrown landscaping
• Clearing leaf piles and yard debris

Improving airflow and allowing more sunlight into dense landscape beds makes your yard less inviting to mosquitoes.

Improve Drainage 

After heavy rain, walk around your property and look for puddles that linger for several days. Common trouble spots include:

• Low areas in the lawn
• Poorly graded landscaping
• Clogged drainage swales
• Compact soil
• Overflowing gutters

Filling low spots, aerating compacted soil, and maintaining proper drainage can eliminate mosquito breeding sites before they become a problem.

Keep Gutters Clean 

Clogged gutters are one of the most overlooked mosquito breeding areas around the home. Leaves, pine needles, and debris trap water that can remain undisturbed for weeks. Cleaning gutters in the spring and fall—and after major storms—helps prevent standing water while protecting your home’s foundation and roof.

Use Fans on Patios and Decks 

Mosquitoes are weak fliers. A simple outdoor fan creates enough airflow to make it difficult for them to land while also helping keep you cool during warm evenings. This inexpensive solution can make a remarkable difference when entertaining outdoors.

Protect Water Features 

Ponds and decorative water gardens don’t have to become mosquito nurseries. Keep water moving with:

• Pumps
• Fountains
• Waterfalls
• Aerators

Moving water discourages mosquitoes from laying eggs while improving the health and appearance of your pond.

Consider Professional Mosquito Control

If mosquitoes remain a problem despite good yard maintenance, professional treatments may provide additional relief during peak mosquito season. Many homeowners choose seasonal treatment programs that target adult mosquitoes while disrupting breeding cycles around the property. Discuss treatment options with a licensed pest management professional to determine the approach that best fits your family’s needs and local conditions.

Mosquito Breeding Sites

Eliminate breeding sites around your home… anything that holds water!

Are you unknowingly attracting mosquitoes to your property? Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a half inch of standing water, so even items containing water the size of a bottle cap may be mosquito magnets.

• FLOWER POTS
  pour out stagnant water
• TRASH CANS
  keep lids tightly sealed, not flipped upside down
• BUCKETS
  remove water collecting in buckets and toys
• GUTTERS
  remove leaves and other debris
• BIRDBATHS
  frequently change out the water
• LEAKY PIPES AND FAUCETS
  repair any leaks
• TIRES
  drill holes in bottom of tire swings and wheelbarrows for drainage
• GRILL COVERS
  make sure water isn’t gathering on top of covers
• POOLS AND PONDS
  don’t let water sit for long periods of time, keep adequately treated