What Attracts Mosquitoes to Your Yard and How to Prevent Them: A Guide to Mosquito-Free Living

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance - they can spread dangerous diseases and make it difficult to enjoy your yard. To control their populations and keep your outdoor space mosquito-free, it's important to understand what attracts them in the first place.

Standing water is the most common attractant for mosquitoes. Any stagnant water in your yard, no matter how small, can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Be sure to check for and eliminate any standing water around your property, including bird baths, clogged gutters, and flowerpots with saucers. Below is a list of the most common common seen missed breeding spots:

• Trash cans

• Unused plant pots

• Aluminum cans or soda bottle tops

• Septic System

• French drains

• Gutters

• Kids toys

• Knothole in tree

• Basketball goals

• Tarps

• Bird baths

Another attraction for mosquitoes is thick vegetation and overgrown landscapes. These areas provide shady spots where mosquitoes can hide and breed. Keep your lawn trimmed, prune back shrubs and trees, and maintain a tidy landscape to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your property.

Lighting is also a factor that can attract mosquitoes to your yard. They are attracted to the light at night and can easily find their way inside your home through open doors and windows. Opt for yellow bug lights or LED lights instead of traditional incandescent lights to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard.

Remember the 7 T’s of Mosquito Control:

• Tip: Get rid of standing water in your outdoor spaces. Standing water may be in your child’s plastic toys, areas underneath downspouts, plant saucers, or dog bowls. Other areas may include traps, gutters, and flat roofs.

• Toss: Remove excess grass, leaves, firewood, and grass-clippings from your yard.

• Turn: Turn over larger yard items that could hold water, like children's portable sandboxes, plastic toys, or birdbaths.

• Remove Tarps: If tarps stretched over firewood piles, boats, or sports equipment aren't taut, they may be holding water that you should remove.

• Take Care: Take care of home maintenance needs that can lead to standing water. This includes cleaning out gutters, making sure downspouts are adequately attached, keeping your grass cut low, and check irrigation systems for leaks.

• Team Up: Despite taking all precautions in your own home, talking to neighbors is a crucial component to mosquito and tick control. Homes with little space between lots can mean that mosquitoes breed at a neighbor’s house and affect your property.

• Treat: Utilize a mosquito elimination barrier treatment around your home and yard.

When it comes to preventing mosquitoes, it's important to be proactive and take the necessary steps to reduce their populations around your home. However, if you are still struggling with a mosquito problem, contact Mosquito Squad & Pest Control of Fort Worth. Our experienced technicians will create a customized plan to eliminate mosquitoes from your yard, giving you the peace of mind to enjoy your outdoor space. Don't let mosquitoes ruin your summer - call us today!