It’s hard to beat the summers here on the Gulf Coast. The warm weather and bright sun make it the perfect time of year for spending quality time with family and friends out in the yard. From relaxing in peace to fun and games with those you love most, there’s no better time than summer for enjoying the great outdoors. Unfortunately, the long-lasting humidity and warmth make Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida a perfect home for mosquitoes too!

Mosquitoes thrive in the Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida climate, bringing with them annoying, itchy and sometimes painful bites. Not only do they ruin your time outdoors, but mosquitoes also pose a serious threat to you and your family’s health. As the most deadly animal on the planet, there are a number of diseases mosquitoes can carry and transmit, including:

Malaria

Dengue

West Nile virus

Zika virus

You shouldn’t be forced to spend your summer inside because of pesky mosquitoes. With mosquito season right around the corner, we tapped our experts here at Beebe’s Pest and Termite Control for the best ways to get rid of mosquitoes in time for your holiday plans. With the proper knowledge, you can help keep mosquitoes from making your home a target by eliminating them at the source. Let’s talk about the most common breeding grounds around your yard for mosquitoes and how to get rid of them!
1. Landscape Debris

Have you ever noticed mosquitoes mostly bite in the early morning and evening? This is because during sunrise and sunset, the wind is least likely to blow them away–because guess what? Mosquitoes can’t fly in wind. To stay safe from even the slightest breeze, they often seek shelter in debris that may be lying around your yard. But what exactly counts as “debris?” You may be under the impression that a yard that is simply free of trash is what we’re referring to, but often the most likely homes for mosquitoes are places you don’t expect. Overgrown shrubs and the dense brush and weeds of natural areas are perfect hiding places for mosquitoes because they provide sturdy protection from the blowing wind. Other common forms of yard debris mosquitoes flock to include:

Raked leaves

Grass clippings

Compost piles

Piles of sticks/branches

Thick vegetation

Tall, uncut grass

Lumber

And more

By getting rid of these around your home, you can eliminate the places for mosquitoes to rest. Not only will your yard be closer to being mosquito-free, but a tidy lawn looks beautiful and is even better to enjoy!
2. Standing Water

It is rather common knowledge that mosquitoes need water to lay eggs. Eliminating major sources of standing water like ornamental ponds or pools is a great start, but it’s not enough. Mosquitoes don’t need large amounts of water to reproduce, and they often choose shallow collections of water over other sources. For example, did you know mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little as the film of water at the bottom of a toothbrush holder? To keep standing water from collecting in your yard, you should be aware of the most common items that can gather water without noticing:

Flower pots

Wheelbarrows

Discarded cups

Buckets

Trashcan lids

Tires

Birdbaths

Pet feeding

Water bowls

Outdoor furniture

To reduce the ability of these items to collect stagnant water, it is best to either drill small holes in them to allow water to drain or to remove them from your yard completely.
3. Clogged Drains and Gutters

The two things mosquitoes need most to breed are stagnant water and shelter from wind and messy drains supply them with both! One of the biggest ways you may accidentally turn your home into a mosquito magnet is by allowing gutters, drains and pipes to go unchecked during the warm summer and fall months. Debris like fallen twigs and leaves jam up your gutters, causing them to collect the still, unfiltered water mosquitoes need to thrive. When it comes to major water passageways around your home, like gutters and drainage pipes, keep them clean and clear to keep mosquitoes away!
4. You’re the Mosquito Magnet!

Have you ever considered that you could possibly be the mosquito magnet? It’s true! Mosquitoes are attracted to certain people over others for a variety of different reasons. If you’re the type that gets eaten up by mosquitoes every time you step foot outside in the summer, these reasons could be why:

You produce too much carbon dioxide: Did you know mosquitoes don’t just randomly choose their victims? They are actually attracted to an output of carbon dioxide. When you exercise, you exude more carbon dioxide for a brief time. Don’t exercise and then sit on your porch early in the morning or late at night — you may be attracting mosquitoes that way.

You’re wearing dark clothes that make you stand out: Did you know that when you wear dark clothes, it helps you stand out against the horizon to mosquitoes? Opt for lighter colored clothes, and mosquitoes may have a harder time spotting you as their next meal.

You are drinking alcohol: While there’s no hard data to prove this, a study showed that those who recently drank a beer got bit by mosquitoes more than those who did not. The Journal of the American Mosquito Association says drinking alcohol can increase your chances of getting bit.

Unfortunately, some of these factors are completely unavoidable. You can do your best to make yourself less attractive to mosquitoes, but chances are you’ll still get bit here and there.
Professional Treatments Can Help!

Even with eliminating breeding grounds, it can be nearly impossible to keep every single mosquito away from your home without help from a professional. DIY methods like citronella candles and mosquito repelling plants work to keep mosquitoes away, but they don’t eliminate them at the source. If you live near a body of water or are especially susceptible to mosquito infestations, a professional mosquito treatment would be your best bet!

Here at Beebe’s Pest and Termite Control, we offer professional mosquito control treatments in the Gulf Coast Area from Louisiana to Florida that work to eliminate mosquitoes breeding grounds and keep them away for the long haul. Click here for more information on our mosquito services.