May 22, 2014
5 Tips to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Finally, it is 73 degrees outside now. With Memorial day, the official kick-off of grilling season just around the corner, you can haul that dusty old grill out of your garage and enjoy charred meat and vegetables in the sunshine; Shish kebabs, corn on the cob, and burgers all sounds good for a relaxing backyard dinner. Except, there might be a few buzzing mosquitoes frequent your ankles or ears while you are trying to enjoy your supper outside. A pest in many parts of the world, the mosquito spreads many diseases including West Nile Virus and even when it is disease-free, imparts itchy discomfort to those it bites.
Getting rid of mosquitoes, both through repelling them and removing breeding sources in a small area is something every individual can do. Guardian recommends a few tips to assist you in your battle against mosquitoes in your outdoor living space:
- Eliminate stagnant water to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds. Be sure to check your bird bath, gutters, around downspouts and outdoor plant containers. Standing water is the primary breeding site.
- Cut grass short, trim bushes, and clean leaf litter to reduce mosquito hiding places.
- Check all outdoor faucet and spigot. Aside from wasting water, if a puddle forms from leaky spigot, the same wasted water will support breeding of mosquitoes.
- Address tree holes and old tires. Surprise! Most people don’t realize how perfect these are for mosquitoes. Tree holes and old tires collect rainwater and are almost impossible to empty.
- Treatment. Simply put it, there are breeding grounds that you can’t get to, and mosquitoes will travel up to 2 miles for a blood meal. Utilize a mosquito elimination treatment such as fogging will be necessary to stop the buzz.
