The summer season is a great time to get outside. With everything turning green, fresh flowers, and more daylight, you and your family are sure to make some great memories. You will not be the only ones enjoying this season though. Mosquitoes and other insects are also welcoming the heat of the summer. Mosquitoes favor standing water and moist conditions during the warmer months of the year. The female will lay her eggs in any stagnant water. Just a few inches of water is all she will need to lay anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 eggs in her lifetime. Mosquitoes only live an average of 2 weeks but still, that’s a lot of eggs for a female mosquito to lay in such a short life span! This is why your backyard can turn into a full-blown mosquito infestation practically overnight.
Did you know that there are over 3,500 different types of mosquitoes in the world? They are known for spreading harmful and even potentially fatal diseases all over the world. The most common diseases mosquitoes spread are West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, and encephalitis. Though these diseases are not all as problematic in the United States, they are still a threat posed for those traveling and sometimes right in your backyard.
Though it is nearly impossible to completely get rid of mosquitoes because of the number of eggs they lay and the fact that they fly, there are a few prevention tips to reduce the number of mosquitoes you have on your property. It is always best to try and prevent them from breeding BEFORE an infestation takes hold.
Here’s what you can do:
- Empty any kiddie pools when not in use and regularly change out the water.
- Change out the water every week in bird baths if you have them.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clean of debris that could cause them to collect standing water.
- Make holes in the bottoms of any trash or recycling bins so that rainwater does not collect.
- Make sure any landscaping and gardens have proper drainage. Even pay attention to the ditches along the property to ensure water is flowing, not stagnant.
- Keep your property clear of anything that can hold water like for example old tires or kids' toys.
Though mosquitoes are hard to completely prevent, your best option, in the case of an infestation, is to call a professional pest exterminator. Professionals are trained to quickly find the areas that are responsible for mosquito breeding. They will also be able to help you take the appropriate measures to control the mosquito population near your home or business.