Becoming a full-fledged plant parent has become all the rage for many reasons.
For one, some want more natural ways to purify the air in their homes.
For others, taking care of plants became a productive hobby that took their minds off the stressful events in their lives.
The addition of these plants has instantly made their living spaces more beautiful, too.
However, having a thriving, jungle-like garden is one thing, while maintaining it is another. Any plant lover knows how much effort and commitment it takes to keep them alive.
Another hazard to this hobby? Pests like mosquitoes come to ruin the fun and threaten not just the health of our plants but ours as well.
If you’re in the process of building and cultivating your dream garden and you’re starting to see mosquitoes swarming over it, here are some essential tips and tricks to repel them from your garden.
Consult with professionals.
If you find that the problem is beyond your control, don’t hesitate to consult with professionals who offer mosquito control services to help you address the problem.
It’s a quick and easy way to completely eradicate the problem and address it from the roots because these experts know exactly what kind of pests grow in your area and how to get rid of them completely.
These services don’t just stop at killing mosquitoes and ticks that swarm in your garden.
Their primary mission is to keep you and your family healthy from the diseases that these pests carry.
Pest control experts take these mosquitoes and their potential diseases seriously. When in doubt, consult with experts first.
Eliminate standing water wherever you can.
Constantly check your gutters and make sure they’re always clear of debris.
You’d be surprised at the amount of discarded buckets, cans, pots, children’s toys, and any container that can hold water that end up in these places.
Make a habit of sealing the lid of your trash containers and changing your outdoor pet dishes as often as you can.
If you have a rain garden, don’t worry too much because studies show rain gardens are not breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Moreover, rain gardens automatically drain the water in one to three days anyway.
Be strategic with your plant placements.
Potted plants are notorious for accumulating excess water, which we all know makes the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
As the muggy summer months approach, make sure to keep your potted plants indoors where mosquitoes don’t swarm as much.
Incorporate some mosquito repellents.
Here are some products that can help repel mosquitoes from your garden:
- Scented oils and herbs. There’s a reason why our bottled mosquito repellents have ingredients like citronella—their scent automatically repels mosquitoes. Add some of these essential oils to your garden by spraying a bit or leaving them standing out near the plants. Scents like lemongrass, citronella, and chrysanthemum are non-toxic but still do the job of keeping mosquitoes at bay. You can also opt for scented candles and oils and place them on your outdoor dining areas to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away from your food.
- Scattered coffee grounds are also good for preventing mosquitoes from breeding. If you have instances when you have standing water in your garden or yard, scatter some coffee grounds, and you’ll be sure that any mosquito eggs will be deprived of the oxygen they need. Eventually, they will rise to the surface of the water. Coffee grounds also kill mosquito eggs even before they hatch, preventing them from breeding even further.
- There are also some insect-repelling lights in the market that you can add to your yard or garden. Some examples of these lights include yellow bug lights, sodium lamps, or even LED lights. There are plenty of fixtures in your local home goods store that provide an all-encompassing outdoor lighting system that can help repel bugs.
Grow some mosquito-repelling plants.
Here are some plant species that are known for repelling mosquitoes:
- Lemon balm
- Rosemary
- Mint
- Lavender
- Chrysanthemum
- Eucalyptus
- Marigold
- Garlic
- Basil
- Citronella grass
- Catnip
- Scented geranium
- Bee balm
- Floss flower
- Sage
- Allium
The good news is that many of these plants don’t just repel mosquitoes. They also get rid of other kinds of insects like ants.
Mosquito control is incredibly important because these bugs carry diseases like dengue, malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis, and newer viruses like Zika and West Nile viruses.
Do whatever you can to protect your home—and your family—from these pesky pests by consulting with specialists and doing your part to maintain it.