From the words of the Dalai Lama, “If you believe you are too little to generate a difference, attempting banging a mosquito” The pesky flying insects may be bothersome — and disease-causing — if they are bothering you while you’re sleeping in a hammock or seeking to enjoy a cool drink in your own porch. While mosquitoes are a somewhat unavoidable part of life during the spring, summer and early fall, you can take steps to keep them at bay.
Avoid Breeding Sites
Mosquitoes need water to get their larvae to hatch, reminds the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, so one measure to take is to prevent them from breeding near your property. Even tiny depressions in the soil can be places for breeding. Around your porch, look for collections of water close to your drainage plumbing or downspouts. Also search for any stagnant water in planter pots, children’s toys, discarded tires as well as holes in trees. If you have a swimming pool, make sure it’s properly preserved and treated with chlorine. Additionally, talk to your neighbours and check any vacant sites nearby for potential breeding sites.
Mosquito-Repelling Plants
Raise plants that typically keep away mosquitoes. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension recommends planting basil (Ocimum basilicum), sturdy from U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 2 to 11, which grows in several of colours and may make an attractive addition to your pot on your own porch. The NC Extension also advocates lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) hardy from USDA zones 10 to 11, or rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), hardy from USDA zones 8 to 10.
Citronella Scents
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension also advocates planting citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), a grassy plant that’s hardy from USDA zones 10 to 11. Citronella is more commonly used as a mosquito repellant in organic products in addition to in candles and torches. While they’ll produce a strong scent, citronella candles come in numerous attractive containers and colours, which can help you make a pleasant atmosphere to relax in your porch.
Other Mosquito Repellants
Beyond dousing yourself at DEET bug spray nightly, which is successful but harmful to children, quite a few products are out there which may or may not assist with your mosquito problem. While products which use CO2 to trap mosquitoes will capture them, the University of Florida IFAS Extension reminds homeowners which the devices can be expensive and may not be as successful for large populations. Similarly, bug “zappers” can kill different kinds of bugs more than mosquitoes, suggests the IFAS Extension. Another choice is to spray insecticide around your home when you see large populations of mosquitoes. IFAS Extension recommends against using processes which rely on a timer, since it’s far better to use insecticide when it’s essential in order to prevent giving the people around your home a tolerance to insecticide.