Even in the comfort of your own backyard, you still have to deal with the nuisance of creepy mosquitoes. Wouldn’t you like to take advantage of the summer season by having a drink on your terrace with friends or by enjoying a good family meal? Insects tend to give you a hard time : you’ve got mosquitoes circling around your head and their bites itch for several days. Here are some tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes with your landscaping choices. By putting these tips into practice, you will be able to spend more time outdoors without the unpleasant visit of mosquitoes.
Water bodies
It is well known that water bodies, although aesthetically pleasing, are fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes. That doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your relaxing fountains and beautiful water gardens. Obviously, reducing the number of water sources is a good strategy. However, it’s more a matter of maintaining them well to prevent them from attracting unwanted visitors.
Mosquitoes seek out stagnant areas to lay their eggs. Make sure that the contents of your ponds are in motion to prevent this multiplication. To do so, check the strength of the pump and filter and choose mechanisms that will maintain movement in the pond. If you have a water garden, make sure that the vegetation remains well maintained, without being too dense, to prevent mosquito families from settling in. If you are looking for inspiration on how to integrate water into your landscaping, read our article for some original ideas.
In addition to the bodies of water you have created, you should also keep an eye on other areas of your property where water could accumulate. Indeed, the accumulation of puddles can be a breeding ground for larvae. Try to fill in these holes to prevent mosquitoes from settling in. Also inspect your eavestroughs to make sure they are not clogged. Cleaning them can prevent the emergence of undesirable insects.
Even so, if you feel that one of these areas is a mosquito nest, you can purchase tablets to place in water bodies. These are lethal to mosquito larvae. Choose tablets that are not dangerous to animals, fish or birds.
By implementing these measures, you will be able to enjoy your water bodies to their full potential throughout the summer.
Gardens and plants
You may feel that gardens and plants attract mosquitoes, but this is not necessarily true. If your vegetation is well maintained, you are already on the right track. Also, make a judicious choice of plants in your flowerbeds and gardens. Some species are known to attract mosquitoes, while others can act as repellents.
Also avoid flowers with sweet-smelling nectars, especially for aquatic vegetation such as water lilies.
For insect-repellent vegetation, you can plant lavender, marigold, lemongrass or chrysanthemum. Most of these plants grow easily, giving you the freedom to add them throughout your landscaping with your other plants. Alternatively, you can also opt for herbs such as basil, garlic or rosemary. Not only do they repel mosquitoes, but you can also use them in your everyday dishes to add a touch of freshness.
The most important thing to keep in mind with vegetation is to keep it well maintained. Uncut grass and weeds will attract mosquitoes and offer them shelter. This is obviously to be avoided when insects are bothering you.
Strong allies
Birds can help you reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property. They are the predators of insects such as flies or mosquitoes. Attract them with strategically placed feeders and shelters on your property. They will do the extermination work for you. As a bonus, you will be able to observe birds on a daily basis and listen to their melodious songs.
Products to incorporate into your decor
If these tricks are still not effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay, you can turn to the less natural options on the market. There are a multitude of propane, electric or even solar powered traps that will allow you to reduce the insect population in your backyard. You could invest in one of these solutions to repel them.
Among others, many rely on lemongrass oil to win the battle. You can easily find several products based on this plant, such as candles or incense. This option is completely safe and contains very few chemicals.
Finally, if all else fails, you can always install a garden shed, awnings or even a pergola with mosquito netting to have some peace.
In a word…
Don’t let the mosquitoes intimidate and discourage you from getting fresh air in your backyard. With these last tips, you can now spend the summer outdoors as you wanted. Most of these tips can be applied after your landscaping design is complete and are fairly easy to implement right away.
