On a day when the weather is perfect, there’s nothing better than taking dinner outdoors to enjoy a peaceful evening in your yard. However, that time can be quickly ruined if you have to spend half your time swatting away hungry mosquitoes.
At times, it can feel like half the mosquito population in Louisiana has moved onto your property, but the truth is that some properties are more affected by mosquitoes than others. Knowing why mosquitoes love your yard can help you take the necessary steps to keep them off your property. With mosquitoes being active all year long in Shreveport and throughout Northwest Louisiana, this information can help you make your yard a place where you can spend every nice evening without having to deal with annoying mosquitoes.
Understanding why mosquitoes love your yard
Mosquitoes can be active anytime temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but they’re at their most active when temperatures hit the 80s and 90s. That means that these biting pests are able to survive and be active through all four seasons, and are able to thrive through three.
Mosquitoes don’t live very long. Males only make it about ten days, while females can survive for around 55 days. Because of this, they spend their time doing what they can to continue the life cycle. Female mosquitoes will lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime, and they need certain conditions to do so.
This is important because it means that mosquitoes spend the most time in locations that are favorable to them. By understanding the conditions mosquitoes seek out, you can understand what things around your yard are attracting those mosquitoes.
Ideal conditions for mosquitoes include:
- Areas of standing water: Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Any area that provides as little as a quarter inch of standing water is enough for mosquitoes to lay and hatch their eggs.
- Shaded areas: Mosquitoes prefer to spend the hottest parts of the day in shaded areas. They rest a good portion of the day in these locations, then become more active in the early morning and evening.
- Places with humans or animals: Female mosquitoes need blood in order to reproduce, so they have to be near humans or animals. They can find places with human and animal life in a number of ways. Mosquitoes can detect body heat, the carbon dioxide we breathe out, scents, such as perfume and sweat, and many other things.
- Attractive plants: While female mosquitoes need blood to breed, both female and male mosquitoes require nectar for food. They are attracted to a wide variety of plants, including most flowers, tall grasses, and water-holding plants, like water lilies.
- Climate and season: As mentioned previously, mosquitoes prefer hot, humid weather. Everyone who lives in Northwest Louisiana knows our climate fits the bill.
How to keep mosquitoes out of your yard
Keeping mosquitoes out of your yard requires you first to get rid of all of the things that attract them. Do this by:
Eliminating standing water
- Regularly empty containers that collect water (birdbaths, flowerpots, etc.)
- Fix leaking outdoor faucets and drainage issues
- Change out the water in pet dishes every few days
Creating a mosquito-free zone
- Trim tall grasses and overgrown shrubs to reduce resting sites
- Plant mosquito-repelling plants like citronella, lavender, and marigolds
- Install a mosquito-repellent barrier, like screens or mosquito nets, in outdoor spaces
- Use outdoor fans to deter mosquitoes from entering the spaces where you spend time
Hiring professionals to stop mosquitoes from taking over
When DIY isn't enough, explore the option of professional fogging treatments and look into the benefits of year-round mosquito control.
Long-term solutions for a mosquito-free yard
Although some of the recommendations listed above will help reduce mosquitoes temporarily, they’re not completely effective, and no one wants to have to coat themselves in bug spray every time they step outside.
The best option is to implement a system of long-term solutions for a mosquito-free yard. In addition to reducing moisture around your property and designing and maintaining your lawn and landscaping to be less attractive to mosquitoes, your best choice to drastically reduce mosquitoes is with routine mosquito control treatments.
Anti-Pest’s mosquito control service provides an easy, reliable, and effective way to get rid of mosquitoes and keep them at bay. Available in Shreveport, Bossier City, and throughout our service area, our mosquito control includes monthly treatments that target all of the areas where mosquitoes are most likely to show up on your property. We’ll treat resting and landing areas, as well as breeding sites. This reduces the number of adult mosquitoes on your property and prevents new mosquitoes from developing.
Although eliminating every mosquito isn’t possible, with regular mosquito control services from Anti-Pest, you’ll find yourself dealing with and thinking about mosquitoes far less. Instead of spending your time outdoors on the perfect summer evening swatting at biting mosquitoes, you can spend it relaxing. Just give Anti-Pest a call today and we’ll schedule your mosquito inspection with one of our trusted professionals!
Mosquito Reduction
Year-Round Mosquito Treatments
Are you tired of battling mosquitoes and missing out on the joy of your outdoor spaces during the warmer months? Your backyard should be a haven, a place to relax by the pool, enjoy your patio, or cook in your outdoor kitchen. With our mosquito reduction program, we can make that happen!
- Service every month
- Covers mosquitoes
- Initial mosquito inspection
- Mosquito yard treatments
Starting at $65/mo
*Subscriptions start at $65 monthly for customers with a pest control subscription (Or $75 monthly if Mosquito Protection is all you need).
Get Started or call (318) 221-6181
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