Stop Mosquitoes from Taking Over Your Yard

Mosquitoes love warm weather, which is why you're more likely to get bitten at a summer cookout in Florida than during the winter up north. Late spring and summer are a mosquito's favorite time of year. Mosquito bites hurt, itch, and can be dangerous. The pesky bugs can carry diseases like Zika and West Nile Viruses. These little critters put a damper on outdoor activities during the summertime. Who wants to get bitten by mosquitoes during a BBQ? Learn how to stop mosquitoes from taking over your lawn.

How Mosquitoes Breed

In order to stop mosquitoes from taking over your lawn, it's essential to understand how they propagate to stop the cycle. It's much easier to prevent mosquitoes than to try to get rid of the adults that have already hatched. Female mosquitoes need still water to lay their eggs. Depending on the type of mosquito, they may put them on the edge of the water, in clumps on the surface, or on the ground in a strategic place that will eventually receive water (then they will hatch). The eggs do not need a lot of water, so there are a variety of areas where mosquitoes can lay their eggs, from small puddles to ponds.

Mosquito Life Cycle

Mosquito eggs hatch within 24 to 48 hours of being in the water. They become larvae, little worm-like creatures in the water. Larvae are full of energy and wiggle around, eating as much as they can. They feed on microorganisms in the water, like algae and sometimes even other larvae. The larval cycle lasts anywhere from four to 14 days. The larvae develop into pupae, which are similar to a caterpillar's cocoon. It's an inactive stage. They float at the surface in their pupal case for one to four days, transforming into an adult. As adults, the males do not feed on blood; instead, they eat nectar. The females need the protein in blood to reproduce and drink the blood of animals (and people) to supplement their diet.

Stop Mosquitoes from Taking Over Your Yard

Remove Stagnant Water

Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The ideal place for a mosquito to lay eggs is still water protected from the wind. They don't need a lot of water; even a small puddle or saucer of water will do. Reduce the amount of stagnant water in your lawn and garden. Check your gutters, planters, unused pots, toys, tires, tarps, buckets, or any other water-holding containers and anything else that holds water after it rains.

Pond and Water Feature Care

It's important to make sure your water features, like fountains and your pond, are constantly circulating. Mosquitoes won't lay their eggs on agitated water. Keep your fountains and other aerators running day and night to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Aeration and circulation help combat algae, too.

Check the Water for Mosquito Larvae

You can check the more permanent standing water sources, like your pond, for mosquito larvae by taking a clear cup and scooping up a decent amount of water. Let the water settle and look for any squirming larvae in the water. They look like little worms, about a quarter or a half of an inch long, that wriggle through the water.

Treat Your Water

If you find evidence of mosquito larvae in your pond, birdbath, or other water features, get rid of them with a fish, plant, and wildlife-safe mosquito treatment. You can find them at your local garden center. Many times, they can even be used in smaller areas like gutters or planters.

Add Larvae-Eating Fish

Goldfish, mosquito fish, minnows, and guppies love to eat mosquito larvae. These fish are great to keep in your pond to make sure any larvae that hatch do not make it to the pupae stage. Mosquito fish are tiny and can live in smaller aerated ponds and water features. If your fish are having an all-you-can-eat larvae buffet, they will probably want less of their fish food.

Plant Mosquito-Repellent Plants

You can also ward off mosquitoes by planting certain plants that they try to avoid. It's a great natural way to keep mosquitoes away from your lawn.

Plants that repel mosquitoes:

Citronella
Rosemary
Marigolds
Lemon Thyme
Catnip (beware, the local cats may start hanging out in your garden)
Holy basil
Lavender

Attract Mosquito Predators

Another natural way to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard is to attract mosquito predators and let Mother Nature do her work. Create a dragonfly pond and watch in amazement as dragonflies buzz through the air, feasting on your pests. Put bird feeders, bird baths, and birdhouses to bring birds into your yard. Many birds will eat their weight in mosquitoes. Bats are another great mosquito predator. You can put a bat house on your property and try to attract local bats to call your yard home. Leave any spiderwebs that are high up or have non-venomous spiders. They'll be happy to eat your mosquitoes, too.

Take Precautions When Outside

Mosquitoes are hard to prevent, especially if you live in a warm, humid climate. Always take extra precautions during the warmer months to minimize the number of mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and pants whenever possible, the thicker, the better, or loose-fitting. Some mosquitoes can bite through tight, thin clothing. Wear bug spray on your exposed areas, especially your feet and lower legs! Set out citronella candles and use fans when having outdoor fun. Strong fans will prevent mosquitoes from flying in if the breeze is too strong.

The Problem with Pesticides

Insecticides and pesticides are effective at killing bugs, including mosquitoes, but usually don't discriminate between an annoying mosquito and an important and harmless insect like a honeybee or ladybug. Bugs are an important food source and a staple in your yard's ecosystem. Dissolvable mosquito treatments target mosquitoes in water sources and are safe for fish and the local wildlife when used properly.

Mosquitoes are pesky bugs that tend to make an appearance during warm weather. They quickly breed, and while they prefer to make a meal out of other animals, they will bite people. Mosquitoes can ruin an outdoor event. Their bites hurt, itch, and can also carry diseases. There are a few things you can do to stop mosquitoes from taking over your lawn. Mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed, so minimizing the still and standing water in your lawn and neighborhood can help prevent breeding. Even if you curb your local mosquito population, it's a good idea to take extra precautions when spending time outside when the mosquitoes are bad by wearing long sleeves and using bug spray on your exposed areas to minimize bites.