The long summer days and warm temperatures are coupled with the sounds of nature․ A sound that can be unavoidable‚ but very aggravating is that of the mosquito․ Mosquitoes are found throughout the world and are experts at ruining outdoor moments․ There are ways of controlling and reducing their impact so that the outdoors can again be enjoyed․ By learning about mosquito behavior‚ it is possible to minimize the population by employing a variety of methods so that time spent in the outdoors is as free of annoyance or bites as possible․ This article will discuss the various tools and techniques that can be used to reduce the population of mosquitoes and improve outdoor activities․
Natural Repellants
In the past few years‚ natural repellents have become very popular‚ as people seek to avoid the synthetic chemicals and possible unacceptable health risks posed by commercial repellents․ Plants and essential oils can contain chemicals that are distasteful to mosquitoes․ Essential oils such as citronella‚ eucalyptus and lavender are sometimes used in homemade insect repellents and insect-repelling topical products․ Although their efficacy may be variable‚ they are considered safer for children and pets․ If you use nature's alternatives in your garden‚ you will not only make your yard less appealing to mosquito populations‚ but you will also appreciate the lovely scents they have to offer․ Making nature's insect repellents can even be a fun family project‚ and something that you can take pride in as you arm yourself against those pesky bugs․
Breeding
Another approach is the removal of potential breeding sites․ Mosquitoes reproduce in stagnant water where they lay their eggs․ Thus‚ one of the best ways of controlling mosquito populations is to regularly remove any stagnant water from around the homestead (e․g․ empty your dog's water bowl‚ bird bath‚ flower pots or rain gutter)․ If you have a larger area of stagnant water‚ like a pond or ditch‚ put in fish that eat mosquito larvae․ Reducing mosquito populations at the source can reduce the number of mosquitoes in your area‚ and your irritation․
Timing is also a huge factor․ Mosquitoes tend to come out in droves and swarm in the early hours of the morning and in the evening․ Socializing outdoors at night is a common scenario where bites occur‚ but even drinking your coffee outside in the morning can increase your risk․ When you can‚ schedule things for the afternoon when the sun is at its highest and mosquitoes are less likely to be out and about․ More protection can be obtained by putting on protective clothing at those hours in the early morning and quiet evening when these creatures are most active‚ allowing one to enjoy the early morning and quiet evening air․
Knowledge of mosquito behavior is important in mosquito control․ Mosquitoes are hematophagous organisms‚ and only females bite humans to obtain blood proteins and lipids required for egg maturation․ Common sites for egg-laying are ponds and puddles‚ especially when hot and humid․ If the water is favorable‚ the larvae develop into adult mosquitoes within a week after the eggs hatch in the water․ Controlling water is an important part of mosquito management‚ since many species are capable of rapid reproduction․ Weather can affect both the density and activity of mosquitoes․ The onset of the rainy season causes breeding to increase‚ while low temperatures cause it to decrease‚ which can be exploited year-round to control mosquito populations․
Citronella Plants
Another natural deterrent you can grow is citronella plants․ The oil from its foliage can produce a pungent smell that is believed to repel mosquitoes‚ and the plants themselves can be incorporated into your flower beds and landscaping․ In particular‚ they can be planted near patios‚ porches‚ or other outdoor sitting areas․ The essential oils in the leaves help mask the scents that mosquitoes are attracted to․ Crushing the leaves helps release the essential oils‚ which may help improve the effect of wearing the leaves as a repellent․ They are also seen as a barrier to insects and other pests‚ and as an attractive feature within a yard or garden․
Conclusion: While mosquitoes may seem inevitable during the summer‚ using all three methods at the same time will help to keep mosquitoes away from your living space․ With the right natural repellents‚ understanding where they breed‚ and doing some landscaping‚ you can enjoy your time outdoors once again․ Gardening outside‚ becoming aware of your surroundings‚ and creating an open space where you can enjoy the trees‚ the birds‚ the bees‚ and most importantly the sun‚ without the constant buzzing bites‚ will make your life outside infinitely better and help you to bring about the constant cycle of life‚ the bond of nature‚ humanity and your family and friends․ With this we can begin to create the balance that we need to create between ourselves and the nature that surrounds us․
