6 Ways to Prepare for Peak Mosquito Season

While some argue that mosquitoes are a year round pest in our part of the world, there is no denying that mosquito activity is heightened during the rainy season months which run from June to November. During this period, increased rainfall and flooding create more breeding areas for mosquitoes and allow their populations to explode. Once a mosquito population is well established it is challenging, though not impossible, to completely eliminate them. Here are our top tips to prepare yourself for the mosquito onslaught during the rainy months.

1 – Eliminate Standing Water

Water that pools anywhere – even just half a tablespoon – becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Empty anything that can trap water, such as:

·        Children’s toys
·        Flowerpots
·        Blow up pools
·        Used tyres
·        Wheelbarrows
·        Recycling containers
·        Overturned bin lids
·        Leaky outdoor faucets
·        Bird baths
·        Bottles
·        Barrels and buckets
·        Pet food or water containers

Additionally, inspect and clear guttering regularly so that trapped leaves and twigs do not allow water to pool.

2 – Encourage natural predators

Frogs, lizards, bats, dragonflies and spiders may appear to be nuisances but they are allies in the fight against mosquitoes. Building bird houses or bat boxes in your garden will encourage birds and bats into your outdoor space (and deter them from roosting elsewhere on your property). Additionally, if you have a garden pond, add some goldfish to eat mosquito larvae.

3 – Mosquito proof your home

Installing insect screens and sealing off openings can prevent mosquitoes from coming inside. If practical, keep doors closed between the hours of dusk and dawn and reduce outdoor lighting at night. Mosquito nets should be used over beds and cribs. Indoor mosquito traps are another effective way to keep mosquitoes away from your living space. By mimicking human scent, indoor traps work by attracting female mosquitoes in their host seeking phase and pulling them into the trap.

4 – Keep your garden trimmed

Mosquitoes rest in grassy, leafy areas during the day to avoid the heat and harsh sunlight. By ensuring your gardens or nearby grass and bushes are trimmed regularly, you could prevent mosquitoes from resting near your property. For added protection, outdoor traps can be installed to attract and trap female mosquitoes in their egg-laying phase.

5 – Protect yourself

Wearing light coloured, loose clothing and using mosquito repellent with approved active ingredients such as DEET and picardin offer an added layer of protection. At the height of mosquito season in our region, dengue rates surge, meaning that it only takes one mosquito bite to become infected. While many ‘natural’ repellents are being sold in the marketplace, their ability to protect humans effectively is not proven and do not usually provide adequate repellency for the duration of time most humans need while outdoors. Be safe and use approved products that work.

6 – Hire a professional

Professional pest control providers, like Rentokil Initial, offer a multi-layered approach to mosquito control which targets mosquitoes at every stage of the life cycle. Rentokil Initial provides a range of targeted solutions – from fogging and larval treatments to mosquito traps – to achieve true, long term mosquito population control.

Our mosquito-control approach includes the following measures:

•     Inspection of your entire property to identify breeding sites and entry points into your home.
•     Population reduction of both larvae and adults. Our treatments encompass the most advanced, environmentally friendly product line to protect your health, property and the environment.
•     Surveillance and ongoing monitoring is key for long term results. Businesses that need to comply with stringent regulations can incorporate our surveillance/monitoring report systems for better control.

Whether for home or business, Rentokil Initial has the expertise and experience to keep your property safe from mosquitoes. Get in touch for a free site visit.

Ready to say goodbye to mosquitoes for good? Get in touch!

Our team of experts have extensive local experience and are trained monthly on the very best technologies and processes for mosquito control. 

Call us on 876 926 4236 or contact us online and we’ll contact you within 24 hours to help you control mosquitoes in your business premises.