In lots of areas of the nation, mosquito season has begun because of hotter temperatures and rain.
Mosquito season means a rise in mosquito bites. Entomologist Sonja Swiger, PhD, of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has shared 5 ideas for protecting mosquitoes out of your home this summer season.
- Eliminate stagnant water:
In accordance with Swiger, stagnant water is the place mosquitoes breed. The variety of nesting locations round the home which are close to water will be lowered.
She defined that because it takes an immature mosquito 10 to 14 days to develop in water, it’s smart to replenish or take away any water that has been omitted for greater than 5 days.
Water dishes, chicken baths, plant saucers, leaking taps, and gutters are just a few potential locations to search for standing water.
“Observe your environment for water that’s standing for quite a lot of days and dump the water or be sure that it is freed from larvae,” she suggested.
- Preserve the doorways shut and use impenetrable screens:
Physique warmth and the carbon dioxide that outcomes from our respiratory appeal to mosquitoes.
Whereas open home windows and doorways with screens are a superb barrier to maintain mosquitoes out of houses, it is essential to guarantee that the screens are impenetrable by holes and that the doorways are saved locked.
Using screens in your home windows and doorways is strongly suggested if you wish to maintain mosquitoes exterior, based on Swiger. “Mosquitoes are going to do what they need to with a view to get to us.”
- Keep away from an overgrown yard and shrubbery:
Regardless of particular person preferences on private property, it’s important to keep away from creating the type of habitat that grownup mosquitoes must survive. Mosquitoes discover refuge in potted vegetation, tall, dense grass, and overgrown landscaping vegetation.
You’ll be able to scale back the opportunity of mosquitoes getting into your home by controlling such environments exterior.
“It will be important to not have too many potted vegetation or overgrown shrubs as a result of these function harborages for grownup mosquitoes to thrive in,” Swiger stated.
- Use repellents constantly:
Swiger additionally advises using repellents as one of many solely surefire methods to keep away from mosquito bites in case you’re exterior.
It’s suggested to make use of spray repellents as a result of they’re simpler at disguising our scent from bugs. Citronella candles should not almost as efficient, based on Swiger, as a result of the aroma doesn’t “journey far sufficient” to supply any safety.
- Know when mosquitoes are in motion:
Swiger additional stated that completely different mosquito species have completely different ranges of exercise. It is vital to concentrate on their exercise as a preventative measure.
Whereas some are energetic within the early morning, others are energetic at dusk and in the course of the night time. The variety of mosquitoes in or round your own home will be decreased by taking preventative steps, and frequent use of repellents may help reduce bites.
Inform your native public well being division to report websites in case you observe or detect a public space with excessive mosquito concentrations. Public well being professionals can take steps to regulate mosquito populations and stop their unfold to new places.