Here in Tucson, we don’t have as big of a mosquito problem as, say, Florida, but we aren’t exactly out of the woods when it comes to mosquitoes either. These little six-legged nightmares still buzz all over our area, biting and spreading diseases while they’re at it. Because of their penchant for carrying deadly illnesses, mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous pests you can get on your Tucson property. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to prevent them. Let’s talk about the ways homeowners try to repel these perilous bugs and see how they stack up when it comes to effectiveness.

Effective Methods For Repelling Mosquitoes

The most effective ways to repel mosquitoes involve creating a hostile environment for them. Females only bite when they’re ready to breed, and adult mosquitoes don’t travel far from where they’re born. That means if you make your property unattractive as a place to reproduce, you’ll be much less likely to get a breeding population of mosquitoes on it.

One of the best ways to make your property a hostile breeding ground is to eliminate moisture. Most mosquito varieties need stagnant water to lay their eggs, so eliminate as many sources of standing water as you can. Get rid of stagnant birdbaths, kiddie pools, and outdoor pet bowls. If you can’t or don’t want to eliminate items like this, change the water in them every other day at least. Also, fix clogged drainage that could lead to standing water. Backed-up gutters are a common issue, so it’s important to ensure your gutters are cleaned so they don’t develop clogs and puddles you can’t see.

Trimming back hedges and trees is another good way to reduce mosquito attractants. Some species of mosquito only need moist soil to breed, and reducing shade encourages evaporation to dry out soil. Trimming flowering plants has the added benefit of eliminating mosquito food sources. Mosquitoes eat nectar for a steady diet, so reducing flowers on your property gets rid of their main food source.

Ineffective Methods For Repelling Mosquitoes

Other methods for repelling mosquitoes aren’t as effective as the ones we listed above. Some people think insect repellants will keep mosquitoes away from them. While it is true insect repellants containing certain ingredients like DEET are effective for keeping mosquitoes from biting you, they are not an effective method for keeping a mosquito population out of your yard.

A lot of people also try candles, sprays, and torches containing plant oils to prevent mosquitoes. These methods are really only effective in their immediate vicinity, and only when they’re active (i.e. the candles/torches are lit or the spray is fresh). That means they might keep a few mosquitoes away from you when you’re outside – and even that is doubtful – but they won’t keep a breeding population of mosquitoes off your property.

If you want to actively repel mosquitoes using scents they hate, try planting the herbs and flowers they don’t like. Plants mosquitoes hate include:

• Citronella
• Lavender
• Marigold
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Garlic
• Basil
• Catnip
• Mint
• Lemongrass

What To Do If You Wind Up With An Infestation

If you do wind up with a population of mosquitoes on your property, never fear – you don’t have to go it alone. Here at Pest Friends, our pest experts can inspect your property to figure out why you have an established population of mosquitoes and tailor a customized mosquito control treatment plan to fit your needs. We also offer commercial pest control for Tucson businesses.