Taking the Backyard Back from those pesky Mosquitoes

I don’t know about you but I am becoming less tolerant in my old age. I love our back yard but during the day the sun gets so hot and then in the evening those pesky mosquitoes come out and I run for the house. How about you? They are annoying first of all buzzing in your ears and flying around your face then the itching and discomfort of being bitten, it’s enough to drive a person to distraction. Now to add to the problem we have to also worry about nasty diseases, including the West Nile Virus.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard cook-out or dolling up for a romantic evening under the stars, we need a solution before we head outdoors for some fun. So, let’s consider how we’re going to solve this problem.

Most mosquito elimination solutions come with some negatives also.

-Mosquito zappers are costly, not very reliable, and it’s unpleasant to be around them.
-Insect repellants can be effective, but are sticky, messy, and smelly and many people do not like putting chemicals on their skin.
-Citronella candles or oil has a distinctive smell that, though unpleasant to mosquitoes, can also be unpleasant to humans. So arranging a dinner party around a citronella candle will most likely not be something your guests will enjoy.
Other solutions:
-Watching what you wear can help as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors like black and navy, therefore wearing light colored clothing such as beige or khaki can really help.
- Check your backyard for containers that can hold water, even very small ones, birdbaths, pet dishes, tires, toys etc. as mosquitoes prefer to breed in still water, regardless of how small a collection.
-To keep them out of your rain barrel, add a drop of olive oil to the water. The oil creates a thin film that mosquitoes can’t pierce to lay their eggs.
-Marigolds planted in your flowerbeds are also known to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects.
-“Conceal” outdoor mosquito candles are another type of candle solution. These new outdoor candles help keep mosquitoes away from you and your family by blocking your scent so mosquitoes can’t find you and it’s been said they are much more effective.

There are many products on the market today that make claims that we would like to be true. I am not saying they don’t work, I am saying that they often don’t live up to their claims. Are you one of the 78 percent of adults who believe in over a dozen myths about mosquitoes, for example that eating garlic will repel mosquitoes? With the information above you may want to rethink your protection rituals this summer. Eliminating pesky insects may not be possible but controlling them so we can enjoy our yard is what we really want to do.

Ah, now we’re ready to get outside in the backyard and enjoy cookouts and pool parties, so break out the cedar patio furniture and light up the barbeque – it’s time for summer entertaining!

Eliminating mosquitoes “by the yard”