The Most Effective Ways to Repel Mosquitoes in Suffolk County
At A&M Quality Pest Control, we understand that mosquitoes are annoying insects and that most people want them gone, which is why we provide reliable pest control in Suffolk County to help you enjoy your yard again. However, like all insects, mosquitoes are beneficial in the broad terms of an ecosystem. Though they have a relatively brief lifetime overall, they are decent pollinators and make for excellent prey for large predators.
The Life Cycle of Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes have a short lifecycle and they go through several different stages in that time. Each stage lasts between five and 14 days, and an average mosquito will live up to three weeks. However, their lifetime depends heavily on the species and their environment. In New York, there are roughly 70 different species of mosquitoes. Some of these mosquitoes can live up to two months in ideal conditions.
Female mosquitos will lay their eggs in or near water, and it is there that they will spend the first three stages of their life. Often, immature mosquitos in water look like a clump of floating dirt. Mosquitoes start as eggs, hatch into larvae, grow into pupae, and then mature into winged adults. Once they are adults, they can breed. Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood; they only eat nectar. Breeding female mosquitos will bite people and take a blood meal, and after such a nutrient-rich meal, they can lay up to 200 eggs.
Dangerous Diseases Mosquitoes Are Known to Spread
Throughout the world, mosquitoes are known for spreading a number of alarming diseases for which medical care is necessary. Many of these diseases don’t often appear in the United States, but world travelers should have caution.
Diseases you can get from mosquitos include:
Zika virus
Malaria
West Nile virus
Yellow fever
Encephalitis
Although these diseases do not typically affect U.S. residents unless they have been abroad, there is one disease that residents should think about concerning their pets. Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes and can infect domestic dogs and cats alike. This disease is exactly how it sounds; it causes worms in their heart which is deadly if left untreated and in general, it can reduce their quality of life. Heartworm disease can be treated, but prevention is better. Dogs and cats can be prescribed heartworm prevention by your veterinarian.
Five Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes
Like other pests, controlling the mosquito population on your property regularly is easier in the long run than being overrun and needing emergent help. Luckily, there are some easy, natural ways to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard:
The first thing to do if you are concerned about mosquitoes is to remove any standing water from the area. Mosquitoes often take advantage of untreated pools, potted plants with poor drainage, and gutters.
There are many plants that deter mosquitoes. Lavender, rosemary, marigolds, lemongrass, thyme, peppermint, and basil are just a few of a long list of plants that you can add to your garden.
Some people claim that the best way to repel mosquitoes is by using essential oils. Peppermint, neem oil, and lavender are popular oils to dab on your skin as a repellent.
If you are a coffee drinker, you can use your leftover coffee grounds to repel mosquitoes too. Not only do they repel mosquitoes it makes for excellent compost because it adds plant-loving nitrogen to your yard.
Where citronella candles used to be popular, incense smudge pots for mosquitoeshave taken over. Mosquitoes don’t like the smell of white sage, but most strong-smelling smudges and incense sticks will keep mosquitoes away for a limited time.
Oscillating fans work well because mosquitoes aren’t strong flyers, and LED lights have been proven to have limited effectiveness, too. DIY solutions are only temporary fixes, however. If you are having trouble with mosquitoes in your yard, especially if you are concerned about an active nesting site, call for professional help.
The Best Way to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Your Yard
Although DIY options can be somewhat effective at keeping mosquitoes away from your yard, sometimes more powerful options are necessary. In that case, professional mosquito control services are the best route of choice. At A&M Quality Pest Control, we offer the very best mosquito control as well as a range of other pest management services. Contact us today and get back to enjoying your yard again.