Attack Mosquitoes Early in the Season – Summer is right behind spring, and you know what that means…attack of the mosquitoes! Well, you need to attack right back – and early — before the situation gets out of control. Don’t put your family at risk for deadly diseases like West Nile virus, Zika and Dengue Fever.  At the very least, you don’t want to be dealing with itchy, painful bites all season long.

It may seem like mosquitoes show up overnight – and in fact they do. Once temps hit about 50 degrees consistently, they wake up from their hibernation and start their hunt. By far, stagnant water and opportunities for food are the top two things that attract them. Essentially, they need non-circulating water in which to lay and incubate their eggs.

They don’t need much – they’ll just as soon use a birdbath or puddle as they will a large pond, and they’ll even burrow into the folds of an old tarp, in a clogged downspout and even in something as small as an upended bottle cap! Mosquitoes bite humans because the females need protein to create their eggs. Blood provides that for them just fine.

Here are some tips to making sure those swarms of mosquitoes don’t bother you quite so much this year.

Get Rid of Standing Water

Removing any traces of standing water will give you the best chance of keeping mosquitoes at bay.

  • Fill in low-lying areas where puddles and mud can form.
  • Remove foliage that shades your property from sun.
  • Overturn objects that can easily collect water in a rain storm.
  • Place coverings on boats.
  • Remove old tires or drill holes in them so the water drains out.
  • Smooth all creases in tarps and coverings.
  • Remove clogged debris within downspouts.
  • Chlorinate your pool.
  • Add mosquito-eating fish to ponds on your property or anywhere within 100 yards.
  • Trim overgrown grass.

Control Active Mosquitoes

Any active adults that make it through the previous step will have to be dealt with. You have a few options. You can use mosquito traps that attract females. These traps convert propane into a mixture of heat, CO2, moisture and a secondary attractant.

You can also set out citronella candles and tiki torches around your patio area when entertaining outside. Use bug spray liberally on all exposed areas of the skin. Avoid wearing perfumes and hairsprays or having open cuts, as these odors will attract the bugs.

Contact Cavanaugh’s Professional Termite and Pest Services

If your yard faces an infestation of mosquitoes every year, call us now, as we offer the best in mosquito pest control to residents and businesses throughout New Jersey. We have offices in Freehold, Flanders and Somerville for your convenience.