Planning a Backyard Event? Use These Tips to Avoid Inviting Mosquitoes to the Party

Hosting a family gathering or event in your backyard can be an easy way for everyone to enjoy one another's company in a casual setting. However, if you aren't careful to prepare, there's a risk of exposing guests to mosquito or tick bites while they're on your property.

Let's look at a few easy tips to keep insects at bay so that everyone can enjoy their time outdoors as safely as possible: 

Keep Your Landscaping Tidy

Mosquitoes love to hide in tall grass throughout the day, then come out at night to feed. To limit mosquitoes breeding on your property, mow your grass regularly and be sure to do a thorough job. Rake any dead leaves as well, as mosquitoes love to lay their eggs in the water that pools in fallen leaves. Keeping up with your lawn maintenance helps keep the insect population on your property as low as possible, making it a vitally important part of mosquito protection. 

Use Citronella Candles

Citronella also makes a decent insect repellent, keeping ticks and mosquitoes away from your deck, patio, and outdoor gathering areas. Consider adding citronella landscaping to your yard, or burn citronella torches or candles during your event. These candles can add atmosphere after dusk, while also keeping your guests and their pets safe from mosquitoes. 

Eliminate Standing Water

Remove anything in your yard that could catch water after a rain, and avoid leaving water standing in decorative items like bird feeders or water features. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or around pools of water, so anything from a forgotten flowerpot to your dog's water bowl can become a risk if left unattended. As you prepare to host, spend some time removing standing water from your yard. This will help limit the mosquito population, as it reduces the areas available for them to breed and multiply.

Check Your Pets Beforehand

Before hosting an event, check your pets carefully for fleas, ticks, and mosquito bites. A tick on your dog or cat can easily move to a child or another pet attending an event on your property, spreading disease with it. Ask your veterinarian about topical flea and tick prevention, as well, and consider treating your yard with a dog safe mosquito control option.

Schedule Professional Mosquito Protection Services

Mosquito protection is an important part of property maintenance and helps to keep everyone in your family safe throughout the year. It also helps ensure that your friends, guests, and pets are safe when you host an outdoor event in your yard, no matter the season. Mosquito Squad of Southwest and South Central Michigan specializes in natural mosquito control, making sure that your outdoor spaces are safe for children and pets. Contact us today to schedule an estimate at (269) 340-3580.