It’s a Florida catch-22. It’s too hot to play outside in the middle of the day, but it is too buggy to play outside in the (slightly) cooler evenings. In order to enjoy more of the great outdoors this summer, we have taken steps to get rid of mosquito problem in our yard and protect our family.
This post is sponsored by Orkin.
Mosquitoes are more than just a buzzing annoyance. Not only does their bite itch, but they can carry diseases like West Nile virus, elephantiasis and many other disease including the newest mosquito threat – Zika virus. I still remember the year Halloween was cancelled because the elephantiasis threat was so great that year. Now the new threat everyone is talking about is Zika virus precaution.
Living in Florida it seems like there is no way to avoid this pest entirely, but there are things you can do to make your yard less attractive to the little buggers.
Get Rid Of Mosquito Problems
Empty Standing Water – Mosquitoes breed in still, stagnate water so the first step to get rid of mosquito problems is to remove their breeding grounds. Regularly, check for outdoor toys, pet bowls or other things that can trap water and empty them. Clogged gutters make a perfect place for water to collect, so make sure you keep your gutters clear and water flowing.
Keep Your Lawn Tidy – Keeping your lawn short and bushes and shrubs trimmed will not only make your neighbors happy, it helps remove places mosquitoes can hide. Mosquitoes hide out in bushes during the day to avoid direct sunlight and keep from being blown away. Trimming these natural barriers helps remove places for mosquitoes to hide and feed.
Apply Backyard Barrier – In addition to doing everything you can to make your backyard less attractive to mosquitoes, Orkin can help provide another layer of pest control by spraying plants and bushes with a fine mist that kills mosquitoes on contact and continues to kill them for 30 days. Effectively creating a backyard barrier to keep your yard mosquito free.
Blow Them Away – A fun fact I learned from my Orkin representative is that Mosquitoes are terrible fliers. They are easily blown away by a strong breeze. Because of this, sitting by a well-positioned fan can be a great way to keep mosquitoes away from you. Although it is hard to stay by a fan at all times, it can be very helpful while eating outside.
Use Mosquito Repellent – To keep mosquitoes from biting, make sure to use a personal repellent. Bug repellents with DEET are very effective at keeping bugs away. For those who want a more natural approach, essential oils like citronella and lemon eucalyptus are also highly effective at keeping bugs away. Although challenging in the heat of summer, long, loose and tucked in clothing also helps prevent mosquito bites.
I feel relieved to know we are doing everything we can to keep mosquitoes away from our family. Playing outside in the evening is a lot more fun when you don’t come inside covered with mosquito bites!
Learn more about how Orkin can help you get rid of mosquito problem in your backyard this summer so you can enjoy time outside with your family without worrying about those pesky mosquitoes.
