Mosquito Control

Mosquito Control

Certainly, it is important that any water sitting stagnant for any length of time be eliminated if possible. This includes garden features such as birdbaths, or other pools, or ponds where there is no motion in the water. However, it does not include water garden features that have pumps to keep the water agitated.

Mosquitoes reproduce in stagnant none moving water. A water pump that causes the water to splash and move around will not be the area where mosquitoes will breed.

With water gardens, it is important that the pump is working 24 hours a day, and it not be allowed to run dry. Therefore, it is important to add fresh water regularly, and to check for debris or any other organic material that could breakdown and cause decay.

Water gardens need to have plants in them that provide for shade in the water and oxygenate it to keep the water fresh. Keeping the pump going 24 hours a day, also ensures that the water is aerated and stays fresh. Following these simple guidelines will ensure that mosquitoes do not breed in your water garden features.

Mosquito dunks can also be used to control water gardens with more limited circulation. They are little disks which when put in water they release a natural bacteria which only targets mosquito larvae and kills any in the water before they develop wings and start searching for people to bite. These need to be used every 30 days for best results.

For other areas such as birdbaths or rain barrels, it is important to empty these regularly and fill with fresh water. For birdbaths, it is necessary to tip them other and refill with fresh water at least once a week. (You can also run a hose in them and overflow the water until it is almost all fresh water in it) For rain barrels, place an airtight lid over the barrel allowing water to come in and making sure the water is used frequently. Rainwater is ideal for watering garden plants.

Another effective solution is Mosquito Less Garlic Spray which is very good at repelling mosquitoes as mosquitoes are 10,000 times more sensitive to the smell of garlic than humans. The smell of garlic for you disappears after 4-5 hours but for mosquitoes it lingers for up to 4 weeks keeping them away.

The other smell which mosquitoes hate is anything citrusy. Any lemon scented herb or citrus scented essential oil will typically help repel them. Just make sure that you put the plant somewhere where you will be brushing up against it often as the agitation of these plants leaves releases their scent 10 fold and they do not do much else otherwise. Here are some popular herbs or plants which help repel mosquitoes:

• Citronella
• Lemon Verbena
• Lemon Thyme
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Basil
• Mint