As soon as the weather warms up, everyone wants to be outside. Unfortunately, so do the mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are small, fly-like insects known for their ability to bite and draw blood.
In Canada, there are believed to be 82 different common species of mosquito, and on some hot days it can seem as if all of them are trying to invade your Waterloo Region home's backyard at the same time!
This is frustrating at anytime (and painful if they bite) but especially so if you are selling your Waterloo Region home and would be buyers are failing to focus on the charm of your home - and it's outdoor living potential - because they are being buzzed by these bloodsucking pests.
However, there are ways you can lessen - if not completely eradicate - mosquitoes around (and even in if they get a chance) your Waterloo Region home. Here are some of the top tips we have picked up from industry experts while showing Waterloo Region homes for sale over the years.
First Step: Determine Why Mosquitoes Are Attracted to Your Yard
Different things attract various types of mosquitoes. Standing water, enticing sweet smells, and heat - including heat from cookouts - are a few common attractants. Some mosquitoes are drawn to still, stagnant water, like puddles, ponds, or marshes. Other mosquitoes may head over to your place from nearby lakes, rivers, and other bodies of moving water.
How To Banish Mosquitoes From Your Waterloo Region Yard
Remove - or Treat - Standing Water Sources
The best way to get rid of mosquito breeding areas is to get rid of any standing water. To achieve this, empty any pools of water, fill in any water-holding depressions in the ground, and check that there is no standing water near the exterior of your property. This includes any water-holding containers, including buckets, pots, pet bowls, and kid's toys. Keep your swimming pool chlorinated if you have one.
But what if you have a water feature or pond you love? Recirculating pumps are used in some water features to prevent the growth of mosquito larvae because flowing water prevents the larvae from breathing. However, some water features are ponds or are only decorative containers filled with still water. In this case, mosquito dunks are useful.
A natural larvicide is present in a donut-shaped, slow-release tablet known as a mosquito dunk. It can destroy mosquito larvae for up to 30 days when placed in standing water. The size and depth of your water features or pond, as well as the level of mosquito activity in your area, will determine how many dunks you require. However, it is recommended that you use 1-2 mosquito dunks for every 100 square feet of pond surface area as a general rule.
Mosquito dunks, which are available in nurseries, are effective and don't harm animals or people while also allowing you to keep those charming water features you know that, mosquitoes aside, homebuyers will love as much as you do.
Make Good Use of Plants and Essential Oils
There are some plants and herbs that can keep mosquitoes away. Citronella, marigolds, and lavender are a few of these. As a natural mosquito repellent, you can also try using essential oils like lemon eucalyptus or tea tree oil.
You can naturally eliminate mosquitoes from the area around your garden, deck, or patio by planting herbs in pots there. Since many common herbs have natural essential oils that insects can't stand, they make great mosquito repellents.
Basil, lemongrass, mint, sage, rosemary, and lemon thyme are some of these herbs. An additional benefit is that many of these are great for cooking too, so you'll always have fresh herbs on hand when you need them!
Try To Attract Mosquito Predators to Your Yard
One approach to reducing the mosquito population in your yard is to encourage natural predators like dragonflies. Dragonflies are especially effective at reducing mosquito populations. We have 130 different species of them here in Ontario, so there should be plenty of them out there to summon!
One way to encourage dragonflies to visit your yard and feast on mosquitoes is to build a rain garden, which are curved-in beds of perennials that absorb water effectively and can even add value to your property.
Installing a rain garden in your yard is a proactive way to prevent mosquitoes from re-populating, but also an excellent way to reduce landscape maintenance, and improve property aesthetics.
Try a Mosquito Mister or Netting
Another way to keep them away is to use a mosquito misting system which will automatically spray a fine mist of insecticide around your yard regularly. A mosquito misting system can be a great investment if you spend a lot of time outdoors. These systems can be installed by a professional and will mist your yard with an insecticide. The spray won’t harm people or animals, but it will kill mosquitoes, wasps, and any other flying insects.
A less costly alternative is to install mosquito netting around sitting areas and BBQ stations. You can find it online or at most home stores, and it's very effective, as long as you tuck all the edges in, so no pesky bugs can slip through.
There is no single answer to getting rid of mosquitoes in your Waterloo Region yard. You need a multifaceted approach to effectively address the problem. However, hopefully trying some of the tactics we've discussed here will help a lot and you can enjoy your outdoor spaces - and show a Waterloo Region home for sale - biting bug free this summer.
