Mosquitos are among the deadliest animals in the world. They cause more deaths to humans each year than any other creature. That’s why you need to protect yourself and your home from mosquitos
The insect itself isn’t dangerous. It’s the life-threatening diseases it carries. Among the most dangerous diseases they carry are malaria, the Zika virus, yellow fever, and more.
Mosquitos are found in all parts of the world, except Antarctica. This is why they pose danger to people throughout the globe.
Throughout history, mosquitos have caused millions of deaths. The number of people that died from mosquito bites today is much lower than before. Yet, there are still around 600 000 people each year that get infected and perish from mosquito-carried diseases.
We need to make sure to protect ourselves and our homes from these pesky insects as best as possible.
Learn more about the most dangerous bugs.
If you need professional pest control in Kansas, City, call us now.
How to Mosquito-Proof Your Home
At Gunter Pest Control we know that mosquitos can get inside of your house through windows, doors, door cracks, ventilation, the AC or from clothes hung to dry. Here are the most common tips on how to mosquito-proof your home:
Eight Tips On Getting Rid Of Mosquitos
Install And Maintain Fly Screens
This is your home’s first line of defense against any insects. You don’t need to install them on all windows, just on the ones you open most often. Make sure there are no holes on the screens and if there are any, repair them. You can use silicone caulk or screen patches.
Install Door Sweeps And Weatherstripping
This won’t only help to prevent mosquitos from entering your home, but it will also help cut down on energy bills.
Limit Mosquito Breeding Sites In Your Yard
Begin By Cleaning Up Your Yard.
Eliminate any breeding sites such as stagnant water sources where mosquitos will try to lay their eggs. These can be clogged gutters, empty flowerpots, driveway puddles, and more. Getting rid of mosquito eggs is crucial because just one female mosquito can lay close to 1000 mosquito eggs in her lifetime! If you cannot remove a certain water source, use treatment tabs that attack the larval stage of mosquito growth. The product is known as Mosquito Dunks and it’s offered by many brands at reasonable prices. When using such products – carefully follow the instructions to keep chemicals out of the water you drink.
Pro tip: Always maintain your yard clear, hedges trimmed, and grass mowed, to reduce the hiding grounds for mosquitos.
Learn more about how to identify and get rid of lawn pests.
Natural Repellents
Repellents such as plants (basil, coriander, anise, lemongrass, lavender, garlic) are only somewhat effective at deterring insects. However, if used in combination with removing breeding grounds, they can have a better effect.
Unfortunately, a mosquito may still end up inside of your house.
Tips On Preventing Mosquitoes And Other Insects This Spring
Mosquito Repellents And How To Make One On Your Own
Mosquito repellents don’t kill mosquitos. They prevent bugs from landing on your skin to bite.
Before you make a repellent, you need to know what attracts and what repels mosquitos in the first place.
What Attracts Mosquitos
- Body odor
- Lactic acid
- Carbon dioxide
- Secretions
- Human blood
Mosquitos prefer blood type “O” more than any other type. That’s why some people get bitten by this insect more than others. Also, keep in mind that drinking alcohol can be another reason mosquitos attack you.
- Basil
- Garlic
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
- Tea tree
- Lemon
- Geranium
- Lavender
Making A DIY Mosquito Repellent
To create a DIY repellent, you need to use the scents listed above to cover up the ones that attract mosquitos. Some people say that having these plants in your garden will protect your home from mosquitos and escape the waste of chemicals in nature. Have in mind that you need to plant a lot to do the work.
The easiest thing for you to use as a natural DIY repellent is mixing essential oils with some of the scents listed above. They are cheap and sold in many stores. You can also try plants, too.
How To Make A Natural Repellent Using Plant Leaves
Pour boiling water over fresh leaves from basil, lavender, rosemary, and leave them overnight. On the next day, pour the water in a spray bottle and spray yourself before heading outside.
The same kind of mosquito repellent can be made with essential oils instead of boiling fresh leaves, commented Alexander Crawley, an Australian pest control professional. But keep in mind that not all homemade sprays will work, he adds.
How You Can Make A DIY Natural Repellent Using Essential Oils
You will need:
- 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil.
- 2 tablespoons of Vodka or Witch Hazel.
- 55 drops Lemon Eucalyptus Oil.
- 15 drops Cedarwood Oil.
- 15 drops Lavender Oil.
- 15 drops Rosemary Oil.
Add olive oil and vodka in a small spray bottle (around 100ml). Then add the mixture of essential oils. Shake before each use.
Things That Don’t Repel Mosquitos
Using alternative repellents, from the ones we’ve talked about so far, may not be as effective.
Here’s what you shouldn’t use:
- Citronella candles
- Bracelets that contain herbal extracts
- Sonic mosquito repellers
We recommend not to spend your money on these items, as they simply don’t work.
If you’re curious why those products didn’t turn out to be effective at all, here’s a research from the Journal of Insect Science to further clarify.
Takeaways
While you still may get bitten by these pesky insects, and once in a while they may end up getting inside of your home, following these tips will reduce the chances of that happening.
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