How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes

Depending on where you live, you’re probably familiar with mosquitos–they’re infamous for buzzing around, biting people, and leaving itchy welts in their wake. They tend to emerge when the weather warms up and stick around through spring and summer. Unfortunately, mosquitos breed quickly and can be a major inconvenience. Mosquito bites are uncomfortable and they can lead to many deadly diseases. If you have a high volume of mosquitos on your property, it may be time to consider your options to manage an infestation.

What Attracts Mosquitos to Your Property

You need to know what mosquitos are drawn to when you put together a plan to tackle a mosquito problem. Two main types of mosquitoes live in the United States: permanent water mosquitoes and floodwater mosquitoes. There are some differences between the two, but in general, they gravitate towards similar environments.

Mosquitoes are drawn to water.

Mosquitos usually lay their eggs on the surface of still water. Water sources like ponds, slow-moving streams, pools, birdbaths, and even small containers of water can attract mosquitoes. If you have a source of still water, your chances of being targeted by mosquitoes are high.

Moist soil, or other debris, can also attract mosquitoes.

Even if you don’t have a source of standing water on your property, mosquitoes may find other places to lay their eggs. Damp mulch or soil can be an inviting environment for mosquitoes. Hollowed-out tree stumps, and even roof gutters may also attract mosquitoes. Composters can also be a common spot for mosquitoes to hide and breed.

What Attracts Mosquitoes to Certain People

Some people are more likely to be targeted by mosquitoes. What you’re wearing, your blood type, and other factors can contribute to why mosquitoes bite who they bite. Being aware of what attracts them can help you make changes to get rid of mosquitoes, such as:

• Mosquitoes are drawn to bold colors, like dark red or bright yellow. 
• Perfumes, colognes, and deodorants appeal to mosquitoes. Floral and fruity scents, in particular, may draw mosquitoes in.
• Your natural pheromones could play a role in mosquitoes favoring you over someone else. Other hormones, like the ones present in pregnant women, can also attract mosquitoes.
• What you eat, and how recently you’ve exercised, can be detected by mosquitoes. Lactic acid produced after a workout is appealing to mosquitoes, and consuming certain types of foods may make mosquitoes more prone to biting.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes 

If you find that you, your family, or visitors are getting bitten by mosquitoes, there are a few steps you can take.

Eliminate sources of standing, still water.

Not everything can be controlled, like having a pond or a creek on your property, but other sources of standing water can be removed. If you have a kiddie pool, for example, make sure you empty it out and store it when it’s not being used. Cleaning up debris around the house and maintaining landscaping can also make a big difference.

Try different forms of insect repellent.

Over-the-counter, and even DIY, insect repellents can help if you notice bugs are biting. Insect repellents come in a variety of forms, and most people are usually able to find one that works for you. Unfortunately, insect repellents don’t provide a permanent solution, and may involve re-applications and other inconveniences.

Don’t let mosquitoes find their way inside.

Fortunately, most of the things mosquitoes are drawn to are outside, but there are still measures you should take to keep them from journeying indoors. Be sure to close doors behind you, and if you want to have a window open, it should have a correctly installed pane with no rips or tears. Since mosquitoes are attracted to moisture, you should also make sure you’re not experiencing leaks under the sink or any other plumbing in the home.