5 Tips to Keep Mosquitoes Away This Summer

The summer heat and humidity may not be the weather you’re looking forward to, but mosquitoes love it. This weather wakes dormant mosquitoes and tells them it’s time to feed and reproduce—all of which is bad news for you.

Luckily, there are a few simple pest prevention steps you can take to keep them away from your next backyard barbecue or relaxing evening on the patio.

1. Mosquito Prevention for Indoor Spaces

Pests like rodents, roaches, ants, and other insects can all form self-sustaining colonies indoors if the conditions are right. Mosquitoes are different. 

Due to their life cycle, mosquitoes struggle to thrive indoors without a reliable source of water for reproduction and blood for feeding. So, any mosquitoes you do see inside were almost certainly born outside, meaning exclusion is your best strategy.

Set up screen doors in entry points and mosquito nets around patios and backyard spaces to block them from coming inside.

2. How to Prevent Mosquito Bites on a Hike

Preventing mosquitoes at home is one thing, but when you are walking outdoors, you’re in their territory. On the sidewalk or in the backyard, you’ll always be outnumbered by mosquitoes outside, but if you plan to be in a mosquito-prone area, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself protected.

The first thing you should do is cover up. Mosquitoes don’t fly around aimlessly; they use their strong sense of smell to detect the carbon dioxide coming off your body, targeting vulnerable areas like your face and ankles.

In addition to keeping yourself covered, a good mosquito repellent is the best way to keep them off.

3. What Is the Best Mosquito Repellent?

There are a variety of mosquito repellent brands to choose from, but no matter which you go with, make sure it contains DEET.

DEET stands for N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, and it’s a common ingredient in mosquito repellents. Products like Off!, Cutter, and Repel use DEET to provide protection for 8 to 12 hours, but this can be reduced due to sweating. 

It’s also effective against mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies, making it a great all-around bug repellent for camping. However, some plants have their own natural forms of mosquito repellent, and you can use these to your advantage, too. 

4. Mosquito-Repellent Plants for Your Yard

One of our favorite tricks for getting rid of mosquitoes is to let Mother Nature do the work for you. Here are a few of the best plants to add to your garden that you’re sure to love, but mosquitoes won’t:

• Mint. Any variety of mint will do; mosquitoes hate them all due to the strong odorous oils they contain. Fair warning: Mint is nearly impossible to kill, but it will also spread rapidly across your garden if it is not contained. 
• Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme. All three of these make excellent mosquito repellents as well as fantastic seasoning for everything from salads to steaks. Plant them in the spring to give your garden a powerfully pleasant aroma. 
• Lemon Balm. This is one of the most powerful natural mosquito repellers, emitting a strong citrusy smell that is pleasant to us but not to them. It is so strong, in fact, that you can crush leaves to rub the oil on your skin as a mild repellent on the go. 

5. Schedule Professional Pest Prevention From Brooks

While at-home mosquito prevention can slow the spread of mosquitoes, it won’t keep them away completely. If you are dealing with a recurring mosquito issue or want to stay ahead before one begins, reach out to Brooks Pest Solutions for professional assistance.

Our team will evaluate your home and yard to identify potential mosquito breeding grounds and go over the treatment options appropriate to your property. Request a quote to start reducing the number of mosquitoes around your home and enjoy the outdoors without these bothersome blood-suckers.