Mosquito bites are often painful and itchy.
More than 3,000 mosquito types exist all over the world. In some species, the female mosquito uses her mouth to pierce into the skin of warm-blooded mammals to feed. This can cause pain, create a red itchy area, and can transfer infectious diseases. The mosquito population can be controlled through both natural and chemical means. Does this Spark an idea?
Remove Natural Breeding Places
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Removing standing water from in and around your home will stop mosquitoes from having a place to lay eggs. Standing water can collect in buckets and trash cans, birdbaths, fountains and even trays under potted plants. If you have a pool, clean it daily. Make sure to check the area around your home after it rains and remove any new areas of standing water.
Within Your Home
Prevent mosquitoes from gaining entry into your home by keeping windows closed or fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering. Replace outdoor lights with yellow lights that attract fewer of the insects than a typical light.
Larvicides
Larvicides are chemicals applied to areas to kill mosquito larvae. Larvicides consist of organophosphates and may be either oil based or mineral based. Three main forms of larvicide are granular, solid and liquid. Liquid larvacide is easy to use on larger areas such as an entire yard. Drop granular and solid forms into ponds and streams to kill larva. Larvicide is available in forms that will not kill other existing organisms, such as fish, that make water their home. Common brands can be found at your local nursery or hardware store.
Adulticides
Apply adulticides, chemicals used to kill adult mosquitoes, by spraying them on vegetation that the mosquito feeds on. Use adulticides when other control methods have been exhausted. Since adulticides are in spray form, avoid applying when the weather is windy or rainy. Apply adulticides strictly according to label specifications to avoid harm to vegetation and other organisms.
Plant Control
A variety of plants have the ability to repel mosquitoes. Planting them around your home will help to control mosquitoes. Citronella, or lemon grass, naturally repels mosquitoes. Citronella thrives in warm climates. Catnip is a mosquito repellent, but does attract cats. Lavender and basil both are repellents as well. Marigolds and tansies are additional attractive flowers to plant in your yard to control your mosquito population.
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