We’ve been hearing it all Spring and so far…the beginning of Summer. Insects are going to be out in full force this Summer because of the mild Winter months we had this past year. Most annoyingly, the mosquito population is most likely even bigger than it usually is in the South. It can be almost impossible to enjoy a meal or a beverage on your deck or patio without being invaded.
Here are some tips to hopefully keep the mosquitos at bay.
1. Don’t leave standing water around the yard. This includes things that you may not think about, like birdbaths, or flower pot saucers.
2. Make sure your lawn or landscape is not holding any standing water on its own. Drainage is very important and if you do have standing water, it is possible to trench the area so that it drains correctly.
3. Gutters are a sometimes “after thought” this time of year, but standing water in the gutters is a major mosquito breeding ground.
4. Keeping your lawn mowed to no longer than 1.5″ and trim any other plants that may hide water collection areas.
Hopefully this will help your mosquito problems that have already started. There are some safe yard sprays out there….safe for children and pets after it is dry. And if you MUST have standing water, for instance in a water barrel or a baby pool, Mosquito Dunks© work very well.
If all else fails, hiring a professional is the way to go…remember to ask to read the label or the chemical being used and to ask if the technician spraying is certified.