Getting Ready for Mosquito Season 

The snow is melting away, the days are getting longer, and the weather is warming up. As Upstate New York and Western Massachusetts gear up for the warm weather months, another season is already under way: mosquito season.  

To protect yourself and those you care about from these blood-sucking pests, it’s essential to understand when mosquitoes are most active and the steps you can take to minimize infestations.  

When Is Mosquito Season?  

Many people mistakenly think that mosquito season is restricted to summer. For others, it might seem like every season is mosquito season. In the Northeastern United States, mosquitoes are most active from April through October, with peak activity from the middle of May through late June. Weather conditions, such as a warmer than normal spring or a rainy, humid summer, can increase mosquito activity and potentially extend the season.  

In many areas across the country, including in neighboring states like New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, recent weather trends are increasing mosquito activity. The number of warm, humid days, which are ideal for mosquitoes to thrive, have increased significantly in the past few years.  

Ways to Prevent Mosquito Infestations on Your Property 

USX Pest Control has expertise in how to get rid of mosquitoes and achieve optimal mosquito pest control. USX Pest offers an organic tick and mosquito control program to help homeowners achieve a safe, healthy mosquito-free property. From the initial inspection to monthly organic treatments and tailored strategies to help prevent future mosquito infestations, technicians take exceptional care in providing amazing service. 

Beyond professional intervention, there are also some steps that you can take on your own to help control mosquitoes on your property.  

Mosquito Awareness 

Awareness is critical because mosquitoes are far more than just a buzzy nuisance. Red, itchy bumps from a female mosquito’s bite can leave you itching for days. Males feed on plant nectar, while their female counterparts require the protein found in blood to produce eggs. With their bites, they can also transmit potentially dangerous, disease-causing pathogens. Mosquito-borne illnesses include West Nile virus, which can lead to severe illness, and Zika virus, which can cause birth defects in pregnant women. 

Understanding the dangers mosquitoes pose can help enhance prevention and protection. In turn, it can empower you to find ways to minimize your risks.  

Remove Breeding Sites 

Mosquitoes love water and lay their eggs either near or in it. After hatching, young mosquitoes spend much of their early days in water before they can fly. Any standing water can serve as an attractive breeding ground, and it doesn’t require the volume of a full pond or large body of water. Even tiny amounts of still water —as little as a bottlecap — can offer ample shelter for females to lay their eggs. Common breeding sites include: 

• Clogged gutters 
• Trash can lids 
• Flowerpots and buckets 
• Wheelbarrow 
• Grill or furniture covers 
• Discarded cups 
• Birdbaths 
• Old tires 

Use Mosquito-Repelling Plants 

One natural way to keep these nuisances away from your property while enhancing its visual appeal is by accenting the space with plants that give off a scent that mosquitoes don’t like. Planting these plants in landscape beds and containers that you place near spots where people gather outside can reduce the number of mosquitoes invading that space. A few popular plant examples include: 

• Citronella grass 
• Lavender 
• Marigolds 
• Bee balm 
• Cat mint 
• Basil 
• Allium 

Install Screens and Repair Gaps 

Halt mosquitoes before they have a chance to fly into your home by installing screens on all your windows and using air conditioning when possible. Fill gaps, cracks, and small openings around windows and doors. Additionally, use screening over baby carriers and to enclose gazebos, if possible, for even more peace of mind while spending time outdoors. 

Use Mosquito Repellent 

Repellents registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can offer safe, effective mosquito protection. Recommended options include DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, picaridin, and IR3535. Always apply repellents according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  

Employ Mosquito Traps 

With various mosquito traps on the market, homeowners have plenty of options to consider before buying. Some traps are portable, allowing you to easily move them from the patio or porch to your outdoor dining table. Others may be larger and require power cords. These devices all work by attracting females into the device, often using carbon dioxide that mimics human exhalation. They tend to be effective in eradicating large numbers of these pests, making them an effective option, especially when used with other measures. 

Consider Natural Remedies 

In addition to adding repellent plants to your property, other natural remedies can help reduce the mosquito population on your property. For example, you might consider adding bat houses to your property. Bats are a natural mosquito predator, with each bat capable of catching and consuming as many as 1,000 mosquitoes in one hour. Neem oil can be very effective in repelling mosquitoes, both when applied directly to skin and when burning neem leaves. Adding fans to outdoor spaces can increase ventilation and help keep mosquitoes away from the area. 

Be Mindful of Peak Activity Times 

Some mosquitoes are active all day long. However, the peak times for activity include the hours from dusk to dawn. Covering your skin and wearing long, thick pants and shirts during those hours can help prevent nasty, itchy bites. 

Take Control with Professional Mosquito Control Services 

As spring and summer get under way, the time to take control of your mosquito problem is now. Professional mosquito control services can make a significant difference in safeguarding your home and property. USX Pest approaches all clients with a free, thorough inspection, during which technicians can identify potential breeding grounds and make customized preventative recommendations.  

Enjoy the great outdoors again with services from USX Pest. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an inspection to get started.