Mosquitoes are more than just pesky insects – they can also carry viruses, bacteria and parasites. In the United States, there are roughly 200 species of mosquitoes. They can carry malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, Zika virus, yellow fever and more. There are a handful of ways to get rid of them but not all are effective.
Mosquitoes suck blood to nourish their bodies in order to hatch healthy eggs. It’s been found that a single mosquito can lay a hundred eggs at a time. If you don’t get rid of them, they can multiply in great numbers really fast.
To get rid of mosquitoes, you can either repel them or kill them. Repelling mosquitoes can be done by making you less attractive to them. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, carbon dioxide (from our breath), damp soil and sweat. Killing mosquitoes on the other hand may not always work and may not be a good idea for our environment. They become easily resistant to pesticides which is why we recommend trying natural methods first.
To get rid of mosquitoes that have entered your home, here are some of the things you can do:
1. Use bug zappers
These devices can kill mosquitoes on contact.
2. Use scented candles
Mosquitoes do not like the scent of certain essential oils like lavender so by lighting lavender scented candles you can repel these insects and at the same time keep your home smelling nice.
3. Consider chemical repellents
A chemical mosquito repellent spray that contains DEET can repel them and keep them from biting you.
4. Burn some coffee grounds
Burning coffee grounds will create smoke that mosquitoes dislike. Just be careful not to cause any damage.
5. Set up mosquito traps
You can order these traps online or get them at hardware stores and supermarkets.
6. Spray surfaces with essential oil mixes
Simply put a few drops of the oils such as lemon, eucalyptus and lavender and then spray on your sheets, furniture, and counters. If you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients, you can also spray the mixture on your skin.
Other ways to keep mosquitoes out are:
- Apply chemical repellants on your doors and windows.
- Place plants that are natural mosquito repellants in and around your home such as eucalyptus and citronella.
- Attract natural predators.
- Get rid of any standing water in and around your home.
- Treat pools or ponds in your area.
If you have a major mosquito problem that does not seem to go away no matter what you do, a pest control company like Southern Pest Control may be able to help.
Killing the entire mosquito population may not be ideal. Watch this video that explains why: