Summer in the Raleigh Durham area is almost perfect. Almost. It is when the mosquitoes fly in and make the North Carolina outdoors not quite the paradise you’d been waiting for all year. You likely had plans for backyard cookouts and porch sitting, but are now having second thoughts. Keeping the little bloodsuckers at bay is not impossible, though. With a few proven tactics, your property may just be the neighborhood’s mosquito-free zone.

Invest in plants that deter bugs

Certain plants, for one reason or another, will drive away bugs from a lawn. If you plant these strategically, this alone may reduce mosquito presence. The following are some plants that are known to help:

• Basil
• Peppermint
• Marigold
• Catnip
• Lavender
• Citronella

Empty containers with standing water

You are likely aware that standing water is used by mosquitoes to lay their eggs. You might not be aware though, just how little water is needed to be a breeding ground. Even an ounce of water sitting in a puddles will do the trick. With this in mind, eliminate standing water by:

• Making sure your gutters are flowing properly
• Turning over child’s pools, trash can lids, etc.
• Keeping pet dishes indoors
• Halting use of bird baths in summer
• Filling in holes so they don’t become puddles after rain

Get a bat house

This recommendation may seem extreme or frightening at first, but it works wonders. Each bat can eat thousands of mosquitoes per night. Even just a couple bats will reduce your mosquito population quite a bit and, despite their appearance, bats are gentle and not dangerous to have around. You could even build your own, and the web is full of great designs and instructions.

Declutter your lawn

Places to breed aren’t the only thing that make your lawn attractive to mosquitoes. They also need places to hang out during the day. If there is junk laying around, it is the perfect place for insects to gather and get away from the midday sun. Mosquitoes also like to be in tall grass and other vegetation, so eliminate or trim excess plants and keep the grass mowed.

Candles, lanterns, and fans

It’s most important to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding and gathering in your lawn, but sometimes that’s out of your control. Maybe your neighbor doesn’t care and his lawn is infested, or maybe there is a large swamp or pond nearby that you don’t control. In that case, you have to just deal with the fact they are around and keep them from biting you. There are specific candles, lanterns, and fans that are made specifically for that goal. Citronella is one popular option, but many others exist.

Call in the experts

When all else fails, you can rely on a local Raleigh Durham area pest control company to know how to solve the problem. Critter Control of the Triangle has the experience and knowledge needed to rid your property of these flying nuisances if you just can’t keep them away. We have sprays and other treatments that are both deadly to mosquitoes and safe for you, your pets, and your children. We can be reached at 919.382.0651 and cover the entire Triangle, Raleigh, Durham and Wake County areas.