How Do You Stop Mosquito Breeding Before the First Heatwave?

What really works to keep mosquitoes away?

While summer is a favorite time of the year for camping, swimming, and other outdoor activities; it is also the favorite time of year for the mosquito! Mosquitoes are pesky insects that carry diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and encephalitis. These insects can cause painful, itchy bites. Some people are very allergic to mosquito bites and can have severe reactions requiring medical attention.

What really works to keep mosquitoes away?

What is the best way to protect yourself from mosquito bites? Avoiding mosquitos and the places where they live and the breed is one way. Never leave standing water around, this encourages the breeding of the mosquitoes. Keep your home and outdoor structures in good repair, making sure you have a proper screening on all doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out.

Avoiding mosquitoes doesn’t always work. They find their way into your home, patio and surrounding outdoor areas. For repellents, DEET contains the best protection, with products containing 20 to 30 percent DEET providing the most effective protection. Make sure to use according to directions. Inhaling the repellent or getting close to your eyes or mouth can be very harmful.

Picaridin is another effective repellent found is some products but without the same sticky texture as products containing DEET. You can also use lemon oil, but this doesn’t seem to be quite as effective. However, if you do not want to use chemical-based repellents, you could try this. Some people claim that the citronella plant naturally repels mosquitoes. You can rub the plant’s leaves on your skin or grow these plants on your patio to keep mosquitoes away. Wearing long-sleeves and pants offers some protection against mosquito bites as well.

If someone who is allergic to mosquito bites is bitten, get medical help immediately. Severe swelling and difficulty in breathing can occur without proper medical attention. For most people, washing the area with mild soap and water is sufficient. You can apply a cold pack to relieve swelling and use hydrocortisone cream for the itching. If the bite is painful, take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the pain. Antihistamines such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton can help with allergy symptoms resulting from mosquito bites.

AJB Pest & Termite has a strategy to help you keep mosquitos today! Our philosophy is to provide a barrier around your home or office which will control pests from invading your space indoors. Contact us to discuss our treatment methods.

Similar Posts

  • A Tick Service Can Rid Your Property Disease-Carrying Pests

    Ticks are one of the smallest insects, yet they carry diseases that can change lives. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is a department of the National Institutes of Health, tick bites are becoming more of a problem as people increasingly build on formerly uninhabited wilderness areas. Most people and pets…

  • Got Gnats? We Can Help!

    Considered members of the Diptera Order, they’re as common as palm trees and abundant sunshine. Unfortunately, unlike the latter, these Texas staples are known to deliver ferocious bites that may transmit parasites. As such, they need to be controlled for the health and comfort of all involved. Although there are multiple species of biting gnats, most…

  • Getting Rid of Pests: Termite Control Methods

    Termites can cause a lot of damage to your home and can affect the structure of your house as well. Here are a few methods that are used to control and exterminate these termite problems from people’s homes. Treating & Controlling Termites Termite Treatment Options When highly-active termite areas are located in a termite inspection, slow-acting baits…