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Mosquitoes aren’t just a summertime annoyance. They’re also the bearers of diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that over 3,700 species of mosquitoes are known globally.
Not only are these insects incredibly abundant. They are also responsible for more human deaths each year than any other organism on the planet due to their potential to transmit diseases. Because of their large number, they also become more difficult to control.
Countless homeowners still use easy backyard mosquito control that does no good in the long run. The fact of the matter is, home remedies don’t always cut it when you are battling mosquitoes outside.
Read on as we discuss more about why effective mosquito control is falling short and what makes professional solutions better.
Common Reasons Why DIY Mosquito Tactics May Not Work
Many homeowners begin with short-term fixes, trying to eliminate mosquitoes themselves even before they call the pros for a pest inspection. It may sound like an easy fix, but they rarely stick.
Recognizing the deficiencies in these strategies is a component of understanding why more fortified approaches are needed.
Inadequate Coverage
Many of the backyard pest prevention methods, like citronella candles, bug zappers, and homemade sprays, only target adult mosquitoes. Not every method conquers the site where they breed. The mosquitoes return in just over a month if you do not treat the larvae.
Temporary Fixes
The store-bought sprays and traps may work for a few hours or days. However, mosquitoes are expert breeders, so they are able to continue to multiply.
Limited Reach
Mosquitoes can only fly a few hundred feet in search of a blood meal. If you only treat your patio or deck but ignore the fact that mosquitoes may be breeding in nearby standing water, overgrown vegetation, or neighboring yards, they could be back to bite another day.
False Sense of Security
A couple of citronella candles or one bug zapper makes it seem like you are protected. However, the reality is they:
- Provide light coverage
- Ineffective at getting rid of the breeding grounds for mosquitoes
- Do not shield a person from those diligent insects
Relying too much on these tools breeds complacency in the fight against mosquitoes.
Environment Obstacles
Like all DIY sprays, they are simply washed away when it rains or broken down by the sun. This makes them useless. Without frequent reapplications and proper application, these treatments become non-functional, and your outdoor spaces are left defenseless against re-infestation.
Professional vs Alternative: What Works Best and Why
Pest control services provide professional treatments that can target the problem at its source. This not only gets rid of the pests fast but also results in a long-lasting solution. Businesses use professional gear and strategies that strike at every life stage of the mosquito.
Key benefits include:
- Widespread treatment zones that encompass both breeding sites and resting areas
- Application of larvicides to preempt the growth of mosquitoes
- Sprays that last weeks, not hours
- Long-term integrated pest management strategies
Scorpion King Exterminating uses a combination of methods for the best pest control in Arizona, including some that you cannot do yourself.
Basic DIY Mosquito Control Mistakes
Even homeowners with the best intentions may overlook some factors when they try to take on mosquitoes themselves. These inadvertently made omissions can lead to control failures, and the infestations continue.
Let’s be aware of these common mistakes:
- Overlooking secret water sources, like backed-up gutters or plant saucers
- Not using the correct repellent that works against mosquitoes in your area
- Not using enough treatments, causing mosquito populations to spring back to their original levels
- Neglecting landscaping issues like thick, shady shrubs that trap water
More Intelligent Options for Achieving a Mosquito-Free Backyard
Not all mosquito control solutions are created equal. Some methods are far more sustainable than others. Knowing which professional and advanced options are out there can help you decide what idea works for your property.
The following solutions will address the core issues, solving your predator problems for the whole season, instead of being a short-term fix.
Professional Barrier Sprays
These treatments provide a shield around your property that kills mosquitoes upon contact and prevents new ones from coming in. They are used on vegetation, shaded areas, and other places mosquitoes like to rest to form a residual barrier that stays active for weeks.
Larvicide Programs
When treated with a larvicide, the breeding areas, including pools of water and other mosquito-harboring locations, will no longer produce viable adult mosquitoes that can transfer disease.
Mosquito Misting Systems
Customized misting systems supply mosquito repellents at scheduled intervals during the day when mosquitoes are most active. The nozzles release a fine mist of insecticide, penetrating the spaces where mosquitoes rest and breed.
Such systems can automatically be timed to run. This saves you from having to reach for a sprayer each time the need arises and guarantees regular treatment, even in your absence.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
A strategy where habitat removal, monitoring, and focused treatments are employed for long-term mosquito control. Prevention is the first focus of IPM, such as:
- Destroying standing water
- Altering landscaping
- Spot treatments when necessary
What You Can Do for Backyard Pest Control
The right balance of professional treatment and homeowner cooperation yields long-lasting results. Although professionals provide the best home mosquito control, here are some tips on how to help your cause:
- Remove standing water in buckets, birdbaths, and planters
- Maintain clean, debris-free gutters
- Prune shrubs and mow the lawn often to eliminate shaded resting areas
- Install outdoor fans to obstruct the preferred mosquito flight paths
Of course, this is best combined with professional services for full coverage.
Time to Upgrade Your Backyard Mosquito Control Plan
Mosquito repellents in any form are not difficult to come by these days, considering that backyard mosquito control extends beyond a few candles and store-bought sprays. Any other means of protection falsely imply that they will offer proper benefits.
Mosquitoes are adaptive. Therefore, considering how many times they can reproduce around your house, anything you do to protect against them at home is only a temporary measure.
An excellent option would be to seek help from professional Mosquito Control Services.
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