We thought last summer was bad, but the wet and steamy weather of 2013 has made the mosquito mightier and more irksome than ever. Here are three methods to beat mosquitos without resorting to harmful chemicals.
By The Rye Garden Club Conservation Committee
We thought last summer was bad, but the wet and steamy weather of 2013 has made the mosquito mightier and more irksome than ever. Here are three methods to beat mosquitos without resorting to harmful chemicals.
Get a Mosquito Magnet
Did you know that mosquitos locate us by the CO2 we exhale? The Mosquito Magnet is a cool contraption that emits a fake breath of carbon dioxide to attract and suck up biting bugs in a radius of 1.25 acres. It’s powered by propane so an energy purist may not approve of it, and it does emit a small amount of climate-changing CO2, but the Mosquito Magnet is an extremely effective way to kill these blood-consuming and annoying insects without the use of chemicals that are harmful to people, animals, and to the birds and good bugs we need to help us keep mosquitos at bay.
Ward Them off with Garlic
Mosquitos detect odor 10,000 times better than humans and they despise the smell of garlic. You can make a garlic mixture with garlic cloves yourself  (check out ehow.com for recipes) or try a wonderful product called Mosquito Barrier available online at www.mosquitobarrier.com. This natural garlic-based liquid repels mosquitos, ticks, and fleas and only needs to be sprayed around your outdoor areas a few times during the growing season. The smell lasts only a few minutes for human noses, but mosquitos will sense it for far longer.
Mosquitos Hate These Plants
Rosemary, marigolds, and catnip repel mosquitos with aromas that most humans enjoy but mosquitos dislike. Plant them near your outdoor gathering areas. Rosemary is not hardy enough to withstand very cold temperatures, so plant it in pots and place it on your deck or patio in summer and bring into a sunny window for winter. Plant marigold, which is an annual, in beds around outdoor seating areas. It is also a great plant to grow in a vegetable garden because it deters aphids and other plant-eating bugs. Catnip is an herb known for its effect on cats, but its oil has been shown to be more effective than DEET at deterring mosquitos. Plant it along with marigolds and you will have a lovely garden bed that will be nicely aromatic to the human nose but will smell horrible to mosquitos.
Hire Professional Pest Control Services
These trained experts possess the knowledge, tools, and methods to not only eliminate the existing mosquito population but also implement strategies to prevent future infestations, click here to get all the details. They often begin with a thorough inspection of the property to identify breeding grounds and then use a combination of treatments, which can include safe chemical sprays, larvicides, and environmental modifications. The professionals also offer guidance on preventive measures, such as eliminating stagnant water sources where mosquitoes breed. By investing in professional pest control, homeowners and business owners can ensure a comfortable, mosquito-free environment for their families, clients, or customers.
