Why Are There Mosquitoes on MY Lawn?

Summer in the south is something we can all look forward to. School is out, family vacations are right around the corner, and the weather cools down enough at night to allow for some outdoor fun. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a game of cornhole, or reading a book on the patio, the list of things to do is endless. It’s all fun and games, though, until mosquitoes drive you back inside, and prevent you from having a good time with your friends and family.Like humans, mosquitoes are not fans of the blistering summer sun. So, they wait until it cools off close to dusk before they head out to look for dinner. The result of their meal plans is numerous itchy bites on your friends and family that send everyone scurrying back inside on a pleasant summer night. While on the surface you might think that they’re just a nuisance, there’s more danger than people realize. Mosquitoes are also known to transmit deadly diseases. They carry several strains of encephalitis, and heart worms. Sure, you can apply bug spray. But that doesn’t solve the problem entirely.Mosquitoes are almost a guarantee in the south. Atlanta, Charlotte, and Greenville are all on the list of cities that experience mosquitoes the most. This only means the surrounding cities are not far behind them. It’s important to find out WHY they’re on your property and to eliminate extra reasons why they’d want to stick around. The best way to prevent mosquitoes is to make your property an unlikely breeding ground for them.The number one reason mosquitoes will likely be visiting your property more than your neighbors’ is due to standing water. Most mosquitoes require water to lay eggs. They actually only need a small amount of still water to lay their eggs. In fact, their eggs are so tiny that a mosquito can even use something as small as a single water bottle cap filled with water to lay eggs. Keep your property clear of any water-collecting items such as buckets, saucers under flower pots, etc. to prevent these pests from laying eggs at your home.Your landscape is a huge contributing factor as well. Keep your grass cut! Because of the heat in the summer, mosquitoes like to find areas to cool off during the day. If you’re not mowing your grass regularly, that makes it just an extra, cool place to keep mosquitoes. They also like to frequent areas near trees or bushy areas. These are ideal habitat areas! Some of these areas on your landscape are not an easy fix. If you have multiple trees in your lawn, it’s not like you can snap your fingers to get rid of them. There are a few little things you can do here and there, on your own, to deter mosquitoes from sticking around.Lavender, rosemary, basil, marigolds and citronella grass are all plants that smell bad to mosquitoes. Lining your porch or patio with these plants can help make these bugs feel at least a bit unwelcome. Scented candles and small torches also give off unfriendly odors that keep mosquitoes from coming around. They are also repelled by fire and smoke. If you have a fire pit, this is a good reason to put it to use, even if you don’t need the warmth.If basic prevention isn’t cutting it, mosquito control services are available and can make a huge difference in reducing the prevalence of mosquitoes on your property. Biting insects can spoil a great time. King GREEN provides an effective solution for controlling mosquitoes in your outdoor living areas. By taking a few simple steps, you can make your summer evenings pleasant, not painful. We recommend monthly applications throughout late spring until early fall. However, we are very flexible as to when to start and end the program according to your specific needs. Let’s work together to make this a “‘Skeeter-Free Summer!”