Natural Ways to Rid Your Yard of Mosquitoes
In Hernando County, mosquitoes are a way of life. Some people even joke that they are the official state “bird” of Florida. Despite their prevalence, however, we can never adjust to those nasty bites that they leave behind. The red bumps, the itching, the scars — all of these make coexisting with mosquitoes impossible. Before you douse yourself in Deep Woods OFF!, however, consider trying some of these natural methods to rid your Spring Hill lawn of these pesky little blood suckers.
- Get rid of all standing water. This is particularly difficult during the rainy season when there seem to be puddles everywhere, but if you have bird baths, swing sets, or other ornamentation that tends to collect water, consider covering them until the worst of our summer storms are over. If it’s dry but your sprinklers are resulting in standing water, dump the water before settling in outdoors.
- Hang a bat house. Eliminate one blood sucker by introducing another? Yes! Bats love to munch on mosquitoes, so inviting them onto your property will help control the number of mosquitoes you encounter.
- Use wind to your advantage. Because they are so light, mosquitoes don’t do well in windy conditions. Create your own wind by surrounding yourself with fans when you’re outdoors to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
- Plant mosquito-repelling flowers and herbs. The smells that emanate from basil, marigolds, sage, and lemon verbena are unappealing to mosquitoes, making them more likely to look for a food source elsewhere. Be warned, however: This is only effective if you are very close to the plants.
- Create ambience and repel mosquitoes with citronella candles. Read labels before you make any purchases, though, as only candles with citronella essential oils (versus citronella scent) will do the trick.
While we can’t completely eliminate mosquitoes from our lives, we can take steps to minimize our exposure. For over 20 years, Challenger Irrigation has helped residents of Hernando and the surrounding counties have lush, beautiful lawns they can enjoy year-round — even with mosquitoes buzzing in their ears. If we can do anything to help you with your irrigation system, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
