There are dozens of kinds of mosquitoes in North America. And while they may be very small insects, they can create big annoyances when you and your family want to enjoy your garden. Additionally, some mosquitoes carry lethal diseases such as the West Nile Virus. Before you turn to poisonous sprays and chemicals to defend you and your family, try a number of the all-natural mosquito control options available.
Remove Sources of Stagnant Water
Mosquitoes are drawn to stagnant, still sources of water. It is in this water that they lay their eggs, and their larvae reside in the water till metamorphosis turns them to the flying insects which are the bane of your outdoor picnic. Examine your landscape as well as remove any sources of stagnant water to help deter mosquitoes. Obvious sources include buckets and empty water pots, but additionally remove less-than-obvious sources like bird baths, clogged rain gutters and lawn tools like shovels.
Trim Shrubs
Adult mosquitoes are often attracted by shrubs and other dense foliage, as they like to rest in the cool shade. Regularly trim hedges, stands of ornamental grass and similar plants to boost sun insight and airflow, which make your landscape much less hospitable to these pests.
Battle with Sensors
In case you have bird baths, fountains, garden ponds and water features in your landscape that you don’t want to dry out to eliminate the mosquito larvae and deter adult mosquitoes, consider the bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. This bacteria is available in numerous over-the-counter sprays and goods in many garden stores and nurseries. When added to your water features, the microbes naturally kills mosquito larvae and thereby effectively breaks the mosquitoes’ life cycle.
Plant-Deterrent Vegetation
Some common herbs and plants — such as marigolds, catnip, basil and garlic — naturally deter mosquitoes and drive them out of your landscape. These plants may work because their pungent odor will help to mask the odors of mosquito prey, namely you and your family.
Release Beneficial Insects
One reason natural mosquito control is so essential is that the poisonous landscape chemicals used to eliminate mosquitoes also often kill the insects which prey on mosquitoes, which may make the mosquito problem worse in the long term. Thankfully, many nurseries and garden stores sell these beneficial insects, like dragonflies and damselflies, which you can release in your garden to hunt down and kill adult mosquitoes as well as their waterborne larvae.