How to Rid Your Home of Mosquitoes

Nothing will spoil a summer evening faster than biting mosquitoes. Although it's difficult to eliminate them completely, there are methods you can use to lessen the number of bugs that get into your house.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

1. Treat the areas outside your home first, as this is where mosquitoes breed. Various sprays and foggers are available for this purpose. Go to a home and garden store or consult a pest control firm for recommendations on what to use in your area.

2. Remove every source of standing water you can find around your home. This includes water sitting in old tires, in flowerpot saucers, in tin cans, in barrels or in birdbaths, which should be cleaned thoroughly once a week. Also make sure rain gutters are cleaned out so that a blockage doesn't allow standing water to form.

3. Keep doors and windows closed tight, or make sure they have tight screens with no holes if they are left open.

4. Seal any exterior holes in your home that might allow mosquitoes in. Pay special attention to areas with utility holes or dryer vents. Seal or screen these openings as appropriate.

5. Consider installing a trap that attracts mosquitoes with heat by making them think a "warm body" is in the vicinity. Mosquitoes are then trapped or electrocuted.

6. Check your clothing and skin before you come inside. Mosquitoes often enter a house by "hanging on" to a human host. Pay special attention to your ankles and neck.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find a large area of standing water where mosquitoes are breeding on public property, notify your area's mosquito control office or health department.
• General "bug zappers" tend not to kill a lot of mosquitoes, although they may attract them to the area. Testing has also shown that sonic mosquito repellers are ineffective.
• Mosquitoes can carry infectious diseases, including malaria and encephalitis. If you become ill after receiving a mosquito bite, contact your physician immediately.

[doodah]

on 1/22/2007 On the marigolds, you have to make sure you get the old fashioned kind. The ones they sell in the stores are hybrids, and they've bred the stink out of them. Find heirloom seeds for African or French marigolds.

A bat house and bats - best remedy. Bats will eat all your bugs and they're cute.

on 8/8/2006 Hang baggies of fresh basil in a cheesecloth bag at the main entrances and exits of your home. Also any windows without screens. You can activate the effects further by including cat nip (not recommended if you have a cat), you won't see another flying insect in your home. They hate the smell of basil.

on 11/22/2005 Apparently, mosquitoes don't like the smell or pollen distributed by the marigold.

on 11/22/2005 I put a little Dawn Lemon Dish soap in my rain barrel, bird bath, and baby pool. It keeps mosquitoes away and will kill mosquito larvae. The water from the rain barrel does not hurt my plants.
The birds also do not mind it, and the kids think it is fun!

on 11/22/2005 Washing your lawn with a mixture of vanilla and water in your lawn/garden feeder will deter mosquitoes away