As many as 700 million people worldwide contract a mosquito-borne illness each year. One of those diseases is malaria, which over a million people succumb to in the US alone. Other threats from these pests include the West Nile virus, Zika virus, and dengue fever, to name a few.
All that should be enough reason to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
To that end, we came up with this guide listing some of the top mosquito prevention tactics. Keep reading, as you can employ many of them, starting today.
Use Plant-Based Mosquito Repellents
Many plants, including the eucalyptus genus, contain extracts and oils that repel mosquitoes. However, you first need to crush their leaves to expose their insect-repelling compounds. You then have to rub them on your skin for them to take effect and prevent mosquito bites.
Discard Water in Plant Saucers
Some mosquito species lay eggs in the water, while some do above the water surface. Others even lay eggs in dry areas; they know that water will be present in these spots later on.
So, whether you have eucalyptus or other flowering plants, always drain their saucers. Otherwise, the water they hold (or collect later) can attract mosquitoes.
Dump Standing Water
Watering cans, fire pits without covers, empty pots, and kids’ toys left outside can all amass water. The same goes for pool covers, tarps, tents, patio awnings, and small watercraft, such as kayaks.
So, as part of your mosquito control strategies, check those items for standing water. Drain or remove any you see right away, as they may already be harboring eggs, larvae, or pupae.
Repair Plumbing Leaks
Household plumbing leaks in the US are so common they waste at least 1 trillion gallons of water each year. Aside from squandering precious water, such problems also cause high water bills. Moreover, they provide pests, such as mosquitoes, the water they need to live and breed.
So, if you know or suspect you have water leaks, get a plumber to fix and repair them ASAP.
Clean up Yard Debris
According to Heartland Turf & Landscape, proper lawn care includes weekly mowing. Correct mowing practices, after all, promote photosynthesis in turfgrass. As a result, they help keep your lawn grass healthy, vibrant, and beautiful.
However, organic litter (like grass clippings and leaves) provides mosquitoes with nutrients. In addition, such detritus supply these insects with most of their carbon footprints. Moreover, piles of yard debris can collect water, further encouraging mosquito growth.
For those reasons, one of the top mosquito prevention tips is to keep your yard free of organic debris. You can do that by bagging grass clippings and leaves right after mowing or raking.
Follow These Mosquito Prevention Tips Today
There you have it, some of the best mosquito prevention ideas and tactics you can follow as early as now. Start by dumping out the contents of all water-collecting items you have outdoors. From there, you can proceed to cleaning your yard and fixing plumbing leaks.
In any case, those tips can help you keep mosquitoes out of your house (and off your skin), so try them all out today.
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