Mosquito-Free Lawn
If you live in a hot or humid location, you know that a perfect, warm summer evening can be destroyed by the buzzing and biting of mosquitoes in your lawn. Many homeowners feel that they must live with this problem, but there are many things you can do to control mosquito populations in and around your yard. Does this Spark an idea?
Eliminate Breeding Sites
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, and one of the best ways to reduce the mosquitoes in your lawn is to eliminate breeding sites. Get rid of any unnecessary receptacles, such as buckets or unused pots, around your yard that can collect water. Remove water from receptacles you use frequently, such as trash cans, watering cans and wheelbarrows, and turn them upside down to prevent them from filling with water after a rain. Clean out your rain gutters frequently to prevent water from accumulating in them. For water receptacles that are constantly in use, such as kiddie pools and bird baths, change the water once a week. Keep full-sized swimming pools chlorinated. Finally, avoid overwatering your lawn and creating pockets of standing water.
Controlling Larvae
If a breeding site, such as an ornamental pond, can't be eliminated, applying a methoprene or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis toxin to the site can help kill larvae before they turn into adults. Neither chemical will harm fish, pets, humans or waterfowl if used correctly. Methoprene is sold in bottles of granules that can be sprinkled into the water source. There are also submersible containers that can be placed directly into the water. These products are effective for up to one month.
Controlling Adults
Because all breeding sites cannot be controlled and mosquitoes can migrate into your lawn from neighboring sites, taking action to control adult mosquitoes may be necessary. The first step is to remove any tall weeds or overgrown areas in your lawn where adults often rest. Pyrethroid insecticides can also be applied to shrubs, trees and shaded or wet areas where mosquitoes may congregate. Homeowners can apply the insecticide on their own according to the label's recommendations or request professional help.
Repellents
Among the variety of mosquito deterrents on the market, citronella oil and candles are some of the only effective methods of control. Placing multiple candles a few feet from where you are sitting can provide some protection. Although many other products claim to deter or kill mosquitoes through UV or other light, chemicals, ultrasonic sound or carbon dioxide, the majority of them do not work. These products are expensive, and some have been shown to potentially attract mosquitoes rather than repel them. Many of these companies have been cited by consumer protection agencies.
Tags: your lawn, around your, around your yard, breeding sites, have been, into water