Mosquitoes thrive all over the U.S., and Texas isn’t an exemption. They flourish in warm environments, functioning best at 80°F. Mosquito season in Houston lasts from March to October, and peak activities are between April and September.
Houston is a fantastic place to live—but the downside is there’s a higher risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. To help you avoid them, here are some tips from our experts.
What Should I Do During Mosquito Season?
Mosquitoes are one of the world’s most dangerous insects. While adult males usually feed on flower nectar and don’t bite humans, female mosquitoes need blood to produce eggs. Their activity level depends heavily on the species. Several species in the Aedes genus, for example, are active during the day—they bite aggressively in the morning and late afternoon when temperatures are at their coolest.
Many people only have a mild reaction to mosquito bites. However, having these parasitic pests are around is still a huge health risk. Mosquitoes are known as carriers of Zika, West Nile virus, and malaria. This is why it’s important to reduce their numbers on your property. Not to mention that they’re a huge pain. There’s nothing worse than being in your backyard and getting eaten alive by swarms of mosquitoes.
To learn more about how to lessen mosquito breeding, read on!
Prevent Stagnant Water
Many mosquito species can reproduce in stagnant water that’s only ½ inch deep. Remove containers that get filled with rainwater and keep those basins closed. Moreover, you can add fish to your lakes or ponds to help prevent an infestation. Also, during the rainy season, if water pools on your property and stays there, you may want to have it removed or have the hole filled in. If you can’t get rid of the water, you can sprinkle coffee grounds in the water to keep mosquito larva from growing. Scientists aren’t sure why this works, but it does. Do this as a natural, highly effective way to prevent mosquito larva from maturing in stagnant water.
Prevent Damp Areas
Some mosquitoes don’t require stagnant water and can reproduce on damp ground. Damp areas around your yard? This will definitely attract mosquitoes. A non-functional gutter system is one of the most common causes of dampness in your home. So don’t forget to book an annual gutter inspection to ensure that water moves outside the property.
Prune & Maintain Your Plants
Male mosquitoes feed on your plant’s sap and nectar. Thus, if your yard has lots of plants, there’s a higher potential they’ll reside there. If you don’t want to get rid of your plants, just prevent them from overgrowing and keep them trimmed.
Take An Integrated Approach
Many plants emit soothing scents for us but have off-putting smells that effectively repel mosquitoes. These plants produce oils and scents that mosquitoes hate. Rosemary, catnip, or citronella grass are natural repellants if you want to use a natural, integrated approach. It’s also great to have scented geraniums or lavender around your garden. They won’t act as shields, but they can prevent mosquitoes from hanging around.
Brushing the leaves will activate the plant’s aromatics and make your outdoor area even less welcoming.
Take Protective Measures
- Have a screen placed on possible mosquito entryways. The small holes stop them from entering.
- Use DEET insect spray or natural repellants.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Use mosquito nets.
- Wear light-colored clothing. Mosquitoes are often attracted to black and other dark-colored apparel.
- Don’t wear perfume as much. The sweet scents can attract mosquitoes.
- Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages when you’re outside. In a 2002 study, researchers found that drinking just 355 ml of beer can make a person more attractive to mosquitoes.
Get A Professional Mosquito Treatment
Get your Houston home protected this mosquito season with the help of our licensed professionals. Let us help you by providing effective mosquito treatments. Mosquito treatments are crucial to protect you and your family from catching mosquito-borne viruses. Give us a call today for a free quote on Houston pest control!