How to Reduce Mosquitoes in Your Yard

Member

By seradis
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(7 Ratings)

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are the most annoying thing about summer. Mosquitoes carry many diseases and kill more humans than any other animal or bug in the world. A female mosquito can lay about 100 to 300 eggs at a time and most mosquitoes do not wander more than a mile from where they breed. The average lifespan for a female mosquito is 3 to 100 days. Mosquitoes do not feed on blood, but the female mosquito requires blood for the development of her eggs. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in multiple water containers. Here are some tips to reduce the mosquitoes in your yard.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Start by emptying all sources of water in plant containers. Drain the overflowing water out of pots.
Step 2

For ponds, buy mosquito eating fish such as Shubunkins, Sarasa Comets or Koi. Mosquito eating fish can eat up to 500 mosquito larvae per day. Check local regulations for your area.
Step 3

Attract bats. Place a bat house in your yard. Bats can eat up to 600 mosquitoes in one hour.
Step 4

Use mosquito control products in your pond. Most are safe for fish and plants.
Step 5

Get a waterfall, aerator, spitter or fountain. Mosquitoes only lay eggs in stagnant water. They will shy away from moving water. Make sure your pool is aerated and chlorinated or covered.
Step 6

Empty wading pools, wheelbarrows, tires, trash can lids, recycle bins, and gutters. Remove the debris from gutters to keep the water from collecting.
Step 7

Check standing water in puddles and ditches in your yard. You can purchase a sump pump to drain ditches.
Step 8

Keep your grass cut regularly. Mosquitoes also breed in outside pet dishes. Make sure you change the water daily.
Step 9

Check your bird bath. Change the water at least twice a week. Also clean the bird bath.
Step 10

Use insect traps. Insect traps can reduce mosquitoes in your yard if used regularly.
Step 11

Fill or cover any containers that hold water to keep the mosquitoes out.

Comments

Elizzabeth said

Flag This Comment

on 7/15/2009 Thanks for these tips to help me reclaim my yard! 5*

FrazzledNanny said

on 6/16/2009 As much as I dislike mosquitoes, I don't know that I want bats around. Great tips and I plan to try most of them (not sure about the bats- =D). 5*

coffeefirst said

on 4/25/2009 Mosquitos also hate smoke! I dare to say light your yard on fire, just kidding. These are very helpful tips in limiting mosquito activity.