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How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Backyard
Four ways to keep mosquitoes at bay so you can finally enjoy your outdoor oasis in the comfort of your own yard.
By Madison Bryan
Jun 2019
Illustration courtesy ShutterstockThere are several ways to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. Citronella candles and grasses are a quick and affordable option along with bat houses and mosquito fans.
Local Services
There are local services like Mosquito Joe and Organic Outdoors who tackle mosquitoes en masse. Mosquito Joe offers barrier sprays and all-natural treatments to get rid of unwanted mosquitoes. The barrier spray works instantly and eliminates mosquitoes for 21 days. This spray targets your plants and shrubs and acts as a barrier to repel and kill mosquitoes instantly. Mosquito Joe inspects your property for active larvae populations, identifies mosquito breeding grounds and returns every three weeks to treat your yard. Mosquito Joe also has all-natural mosquito control options that act as a repellent but must be applied every 14 days, as they are less adherent than the non-natural products.
Mosquito Joe isn’t the only service in town. Organic Outdoors also offers lawn pest control services. Their organic, nontoxic, outdoor application kills and repels mosquitoes and other unwanted insects. Visit the website for more information or to request services.
Back-patio/Mosquito Fans
You can purchase a back-patio fan from a local store like Outdoor Rooms by Design in Kimberling City. Fans can be effective in repelling mosquitoes due to their ability to disperse chemical odors that mosquitoes use to locate hosts for a quick meal. Mosquitoes also aren’t great flyers, so a gust from a fan can keep them at bay. However, there is a difference between an outdoor fan and an outdoor mosquito fan. An outdoor mosquito fan is designed specifically to catch and trap outdoor insects. A mosquito fan works by using UV LED light to attract mosquitoes and trap them in the unit.
Citronella Products
Citronella oil is a naturally occurring mosquito repellent made up of the main components citronellol, citronellal and geraniol. With citronella oil being easy to formulate, it has been turned into sprays, lotions, candles, pellets and pouches to help with your mosquito repelling needs. If you want to have a summer vibe in your outdoor space, try citronella torches. If you want to go green, grow or purchase a citronella plant. Citronella products can be bought at outdoor stores like Bass Pro Shops.
Bat Houses
Build or purchase a bat house. Bats are the main predators of the large array of insects that fill up the night, and a bat house is a natural way to promote mosquito control. When an abundance of mosquitoes are present, bats have been found to be able to consume a large number of mosquitoes in a single sitting. Some bat species have even been known to engulf up to 1,000 mosquitoes in the first hour. Since mosquitoes are relatively easy to capture, bats appear to prefer them over larger prey. Bat houses are available at local retailers like Wild Birds Unlimited. Whether you build your own or choose a freestanding bat house, these winged creatures are sure to feast on your mosquito population and help bring life back into your outdoor oasis that won’t cause you to itch. Learn more about the benefits of a bat house here.
