Learn how to best control mosquitos on your lawn this summer.
Many of us will be spending more time outdoors during the summer. However, mosquitos will also be spending more time outdoors, and they can make enjoying the warm weather and long days very difficult. While most mosquito bites are merely a nuisance, mosquitos can spread potentially deadly diseases like dengue, West Nile, and Zika. So what can you do to protect your family from mosquito bites? Read on for a few essential ways you can control mosquitos this summer.
Eliminate Mosquito Habitats
Mosquito control begins with eliminating places where mosquitos breed. This includes any areas of standing water, especially near areas where you or your children and pets spend time. Mosquitos only need a half-inch of water to breed, so no amount of standing water is too small to ignore. Check flower pots, birdbaths, baby pools, old tires, buckets, tarps, and more. Empty any water from these vessels and scrub them down at least once a week. If possible, try to avoid areas where mosquitos live, such as ponds, ditches, high grass, and wooded areas.
Consider the Time of Day
Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk, although different species will thrive during different parts of the day. Avoid outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise at peak times, because mosquitos are attracted to body heat and the carbon dioxide we exhale.
Cover Up
You can personally help control mosquitos by wearing clothing that discourages mosquito bites. Mosquitos are attracted to dark clothing and floral prints, so try to avoid wearing those colors outdoors. If you must be outside for a while, or near a mosquito habitat, wear long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites. Babies must especially be covered before they go out, and use mosquito netting in strollers when possible.
Mosquitos are also attracted to sweet smells, so avoid wearing sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes outside. Instead, apply an insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin before spending extended time outside.
Protect Your Home
You can control mosquitos during the summer season by keeping your home doors and windows closed as much as possible. If you are opening windows and doors, make sure tight-fitting screens in good condition are in place. Keeping windows and doors closed and using air-conditioning will keep mosquitos from invading your home.
Call the Professionals
If you have a mosquito problem, contact Scientific Plant Service to apply traditional treatments or an organic repellent. An added benefit is that ticks will be controlled as well. We can schedule regular treatments or a one-time spray depending on what your yard requires.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!