Reasons Why Your Yard Is Swarmed With Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are recognized as the bane of anyone who enjoys spending time in their backyard. Ironically, just the act of being outside is likely one of the main reasons why your yard is swarmed with mosquitoes. Indeed, given that mosquitoes are attracted to blood and can sense it from a great deal away, the more time you spend outside, the more mosquitoes you are likely to attract to your yard.

To complicate matters, many people who enjoy their backyards and outdoor living spaces like to add a variety of landscaping and features. If you have a water feature such as a bird bath or fountain, it may increase the incentive for mosquitoes to visit your yard, as water is the other major attraction for these pesky pests, according to entomologist Emma Grace Crumbley of Mosquito Squad. "Mosquitoes are semi-aquatic insects that prefer to lay their eggs in standing bodies of water. For the first three stages of their life cycle (egg, larvae, pupa), mosquitoes live, grow, and develop underwater, so mosquitoes must find a stagnant, fresh body of water to lay their eggs in," Crumbley stated. "If your yard floods, your gutters and downspouts don't drain properly, or you have items in your yard like potted plants and bird baths that hold water after a heavy rain event, you are creating spaces that mosquitoes can quickly and effectively take advantage of."

Despite the fact you and some of the features in your yard are attracting mosquitoes, you can have a bug-free experience without sacrificing time spent outside or eliminating the outdoor living space elements you enjoy. Now that you know the main reasons why your yard is swarmed with mosquitoes, it is easier to take steps to create a mosquito-free environment in your backyard.

While mosquitoes are attracted to people, you do not have to stay indoors to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. Nor do you have to slather yourself with a chemical compound. However, it is a good idea to utilize some natural scents that repel mosquitoes. There are a variety of essential oils that keep mosquitoes away. You can buy pre-made natural oil sprays such as Murphy's Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent Spray or make your own by mixing oils like Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil with distilled water. But, you need to be aware of how much of these substances you are using.

"Scientific literature often references DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus as effective repellents. However, too much of a good thing can be bad," advises Crumbley. "Research has shown that there is a 'sweet spot' for mosquito repellency, and applying too much repellent can actually attract mosquitoes. The best rule of thumb is that less is more for mosquito control."

Various natural solutions can prevent elements within your yard from attracting mosquitoes as well, including hacks to banish mosquitoes from bird baths, such as circulating the water or replacing it every few days. Adding a water feature such as a garden pond can actually help reduce the number of mosquitoes. Although a garden pond may attract mosquitoes, adding the right vegetation will also attract dragonflies that keep mosquitoes away. So, if you add a water feature and find your yard swarming with dragonflies, that is a huge help for warding off mosquitoes, as is adding plants that repel pests, such as lavender or lemongrass. You can also create DIY mosquito traps to hang throughout your yard using nothing more than a plastic bottle and common baking staples — sugar, yeast, and water. If your mosquito problem is too difficult to manage, you can also turn to a mosquito control company, such as Mosquito Squad.