How To Get Rid of Mosquitoes In Your Minnesota Yard

If you are tired of pesky mosquitoes and want to be able to spend time outside without worrying about mosquitoes bites, consider these methods of getting rid of mosquitoes:

1. Remove Any Standing Water
2. Install a Ceiling Fan
3. Set Up Mosquito Traps
4. Buy Mosquito Repellents
5. Maintain A Clean Yard
6. Keep Your Gutters Clean
7. Plant Mosquito-Repelling Herbs And Flowers
8. Invite Mosquito Predators to Your Backyard
9. Call Professional Mosquito Exterminators

Remove Any Standing Water

Standing water can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, as female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. To discourage mosquito breeding, it is important to remove or regularly empty any containers that might be collecting fresh water, including rain barrels, flower pots, bird baths, water bowls for pets, etc.

What If I Can't Drain The Water?

If draining water is not an option, as in the case of birdbaths and water features, you can prevent adult mosquitoes from laying eggs in water by either:

• Installing An Agitator—which is a device that causes continuous ripples in the water, preventing the water from becoming stagnant enough for the insects to lay their eggs.
• Introduce Bacterial Insecticides—which are not harmful to birds or other wildlife but will kill mosquito larvae. They come in granules or dunks and can be tossed right into your water source. Once dissolved, they release mosquito-killing bacteria.
• Investing In Fish—which eat mosquito larvae. This is a good option for small ponds or water features that include pools.

Install a Ceiling Fan

Mosquitoes are actually very weak fliers and have trouble flying through moving air. Because of this, you can deter mosquitoes by installing a ceiling fan or placing an oscillating fan in the corner, and the area underneath or surrounding the fan becomes mosquito-free. Though only those situated near the fan are protected from the pest, this is a cheap and easy way to get rid of mosquitoes.

Set Up Mosquito Traps

Another way to get rid of mosquitoes in Minnesota is to use mosquito traps. There are many different types of mosquito traps available on the market, so you will need to do some research to find the best one for your needs. Some traps use bait to attract mosquitoes, while others use a light or heat source. You will also need to decide whether you want a trap that is portable or one that needs to be installed.

Buy Mosquito Repellents

If you are looking for a more immediate solution, you can also try using mosquito repellents. Some of the most common active ingredients in insect repellents are DEET, picaridin, and the oil of lemon eucalyptus.

• Consumable repellents include things like citronella candles and mosquito coils.
• Topical repellents include lotions, sprays, and patches that you apply to your skin.

When using any kind of repellent, be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully. Bug sprays can be toxic if used incorrectly, so it is important to use them only as directed.

Maintain A Clean Yard

Mosquitoes and many other insects, including fleas and ticks, love tall grassy areas. Help discourage them by keeping your lawn cut, weeds under control, shrubs trimmed, and wood piles far from the house. To avoid pooling water to form, mow your grass earlier in the morning, so the sun has time to dry it out.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Not only can clogged gutters become a flooding hazard to your home, but the dead leaves, twigs, and dirt can provide a safe, moist environment for mosquitoes and other insects. Keep those gutters clean and prevent them from becoming a mosquito's next haven.

Plant Mosquito-Repelling Herbs And Flowers

Certain scents can be used as natural mosquito repellents because they either emit smells that mosquitoes dislike or simply masks the smells that attract these pesky insects to us. So next time you are choosing plants for your garden or landscape, mix and match a few of these, and you can help deter mosquitoes from hanging around. 

Natural repellents include:

Invite Mosquito Predators to Your Backyard

While humans despise them, bats, swallows, and purple martins feast on mosquitoes. To encourage these animals and prevent mosquitoes, consider investing in houses specifically designed to attract bats or purple martins—these can generally be purchased at your local home goods store.

Call Professional Mosquito Exterminators

If you are trying to disrupt the mosquito breeding cycle and curb the mosquito population on your outdoor property drastically, the best course of action is to contact a backyard mosquito company. Using proven methods, they can get rid of disease-carrying mosquitoes for good.

Showcase Lawn Care Inc. offers a highly effective mosquito treatment program that includes three applications throughout the summer and treats areas where mosquitoes live and breed. To learn more, give us a call at (763) 415-7383, or contact us here.