Pest control is a buzzing business, and in Houston, one of our greatest adversaries is the mosquito.

Mosquitos are a nuisance insect that’s been around for millions of years. And for millions of years, humans have tried everything to eradicate this bloodsucking creature. Aside from leaving behind an itchy bite, mosquitos have been linked to transmitting harmful infections such as dengue fever, west Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever and most recently Zika virus. But there is hope! Battling Houston’s mosquito population begins at the individual level. That’s right, with you. Follow these easy to execute pest control techniques to lead the defense against a Texas-sized mosquito infestation.

Reduce Swarms of Mosquitos at Their Breeding Sites

The best way to fight Houston mosquito swarms is to reduce their numbers in the first place. This means by fighting them at the source of reproduction. Mosquitos go through a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing water, near a body of water’s edge or in aquatic plants.

The simplest and most effective way to mosquito proof your yard is by draining or treating standing water. Make sure to empty buckets of water after a storm and to rake up damp leaves. If your yard has a backyard pond, treat the water mosquito dunks or methoprene. Or for a more natural solution, add koi fish to your pond who feed on mosquito eggs and larva.

Create a Mosquito Repellent Barrier

No matter how much you mosquito proof your yard, these pesky little creatures tend to have a way of fluttering in despite your strictest efforts. One way to keep mosquitos from entering your yard in the first place is by creating a natural mosquito barrier using lemongrass. Lemongrass contains citronella oil, a natural mosquito repellent. This ornamental grass produces an aroma pleasant to most humans and can grow up to 4 feet tall in one season. Plant or place pots of lemongrass around stagnant water and your yard’s border. Additionally, lemongrass attracts other mosquito predators such as frogs, dragonflies and birds for further natural pest control.

Apply Pyrethroid Pest Control Sprays

For those serious about mosquito population control, then unload your nukes and use your garden sprayer to deliver a dose of pyrethroid. Because pyrethroid sprays are an extreme measure, they should be reserved for only the worst of mosquito infestations. Only use pyrethroid sprays during peak mosquito months from July-September during evening hours when other insects such as butterflies and bees have retired for the night.

Hire a Professional

For backyards and areas where personal mosquito efforts just don’t seem to cut it, consider bringing in the pros. At Preventive Pest Control, we offer professional pesticide formulations and applications customized to fit your yard’s needs.  If you find yourself needing help to remove anything that may be contributing to this problem, call Preventive Pest Control Houston today.