Early Spring Mosquito Prevention

Mosquitoes are not only dangerous but they are rather an annoying pest no matter where you live. These nasty pests can transmit dangerous diseases like West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) every year. With some early spring mosquito prevention strategies, you can free your lawn from these annoying pests.

Here are some mosquito prevention tips that can help to greatly reduce your local mosquito population:

Standing Water

A great way to prevent mosquitoes is by disrupting their life cycle. So this means removing their ability to breed and lay eggs on and around your property. You can do this by removing or treating any standing water in your lawn. Did you know that mosquito larvae only need seven days to hatch and grow to an adult mosquito? So the faster you disrupt their breeding process the better. This is a great time of the year to check around your lawn for anything that collects water. As the warmer months continue, you’ll know exactly where to check, putting you ahead of the mosquitoes. With efficient and consistent attention, your mosquito population will drop, making summer and fall mosquito control much more manageable.

Look for Standing Water In Places Like:

• Water Bowls
• Clogged Gutters
• Wheelbarrows
• Kids’ Toys
• Flower Pots and Buckets
• Bird Baths
• Untreated Swimming Pools
• Stagnant Ponds
• Ditches

Tree and Shrub Maintenance for Mosquito Prevention

Mosquitoes only come out at dusk, and seek shelter during the day to protect against the heat. Some common places to find mosquitoes hiding during the day are overgrown bushes, trees, and shrubs. A great way to prevent mosquitoes in the spring is by pruning these overgrown ornamentals. With fewer places to hide during the day, mosquitoes will be less inclined to invade your lawn.

Naturally Repel Mosquitoes With Plants:

Spring is a great time for planting. So you might try planting a few mosquito-repelling plants. Many of the chemicals found in common mosquito repellents are found in plants and flowers. The early spring is an excellent time to come up with your planting strategy. You will want to focus on the border around your home. Also having these kinds of plants near your windows and doors can even help keep them from getting inside. An extra benefit is that many of these mosquito-repelling plants actually repel many other harmful pests like ticks, fleas, ants, and more.

Some of the Best Mosquito-Repelling Plants Include:

• Citronella
• Scented Geraniums
• Lemongrass
• Catnip
• Basil
• Lemon Balm
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Marigold
• Bee Balm
• Garlic

Maintain Your Grass

One of the other places to find mosquitoes hiding during the day is in tall grass and brush. These unkempt places offer shade and protection for mosquitoes during the day. Luckily, this is an easy one to manage. Simply establish a mowing schedule for your lawn throughout the year. The early spring is also a great time to clear some brush around your property. This reduces mosquito populations in the spring while also keeping dangerous ticks away from your lawn.