The IPM Guide to Mosquito Control

There may not be a more annoying pest than the mosquito. Mosquito bites, while not painful when they occur, can itch for weeks and leave you covered in unsightly red spots. If you have a mosquito problem in your yard and can’t stand the buzzing and biting anymore, it is time to take back your yard. Let IPM Pest & Termite, serving Lexington, Kentucky and all the surrounding areas, help you rid yourself of your mosquito problem with our guide to mosquito control.

Mosquito Basics and Dangers

Mosquitoes are small, sometimes impossible to see, flying insects that feed from their tube-like mouths. These tubes pierce their host’s skin and allow them to drink blood, which is their only food source. Though mosquito bites are not painful, because mosquitoes actually carry a numbing agent in their beaks to help them maintain a feeding connection longer, they can still be incredibly bothersome. Mosquito saliva, because of the numbing chemical, causes a rash with a hive-like appearance that will itch for days. Mosquitoes are known to carry diseases, which can be transmitted from host to host with their bites. Because of this, mosquitoes are seen as one of the deadliest animals on the planet.

How to Control Mosquitos

If you have noticed an increase in buzzing mosquitos, or noticed the floating rafts of eggs in potted plants or water in your home, you have a mosquito problem. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to reduce this possibility for infestation and reverse the problem.

1. Get Rid of Standing Water

The easiest way to decrease the number of mosquitos around your home is to remove all standing water. Mosquitos are attracted to water because this is where they lay their eggs, and even the smallest amount of standing water will attract them. Tip over dog bowls, drain excess water in potted plants, and ensure that your yard is properly irrigated, with suitable drainage pathways, to avoid these nuisances.

2. Keep Your Yard Debris Free

Dead leaves, overgrown trees, overgrown shrubs, and overgrown plants are ideal breeding habitats for mosquitoes. Keep your yard tidy and well-trimmed for an easy way to reduce the number of mosquitoes you encounter.

3. Treat Your Yard

Treating your yard with control products to poison mosquito eggs, which stops the maturation of eggs, or other insect repellents is an easy way to control mosquitoes. Spray plants, shrubs, and trees in your yard to discourage mosquitoes from creating habitats in these areas. In addition, consider treating all of your grass and flowerbeds with an insect repellent that is oil based. Oil based repellent barriers reduce the amount of chemicals in your yard, making it safer to use around children and pets.

4. Call a Professional

If these tips for mosquito reduction do not help with your infestation, or if your mosquito problem comes back, it may be time to call a professional. Ensure the safety and well-being of your family and pets by calling the mosquito control experts at IPM Pest & Termite. At IPM Pest & Termite, we are here to help with all your pest control needs. As a member of Angie’s List, a recipient of an A+ from the BBB, and over 20 years of pest control experience, IPM Pest & Termite can guarantee your satisfaction. Contact us today with any concerns you have about mosquitoes in your home.