Even in the winter, mosquitoes can be a problem, especially in Florida. Wondering why? It’s simple. The average winter temperature in Brevard County does not dip below 71 degrees. It takes temperatures of less than fifty degrees for a sustained period of time for mosquitoes to really shut down, and that just doesn’t happen here. As a result, mosquito control is absolutely necessary throughout the year in Florida.  

What You’re Facing

Good mosquito control starts with a deeper understanding of these creatures. In the U.S., there are 150 different types of mosquitoes. Most of them are able to mature from egg to adult in less than ten days. The female mosquitoes are the problem you notice most frequently in your backyard. Adult male mosquitoes feed only on plants. Females, though, require a blood meal to reproduce, and that means a serious bug bite problem for you. They’ll find you because they can detect both the way your skin smells and the carbon dioxide you breathe out. Once the female finds you, it will feed on your blood, then use that energy to reproduce.

Mosquitoes need one other tool to reproduce – standing, stagnant water. In Florida, that’s almost everywhere. It’s probably located throughout your backyard, and you may not even realize it. You’ll find it in pet dishes, garden water features like fishponds, clutter in your yard, drainage ditches, and even your beautiful front planters. The female mosquito lays the eggs on the surface of the water, and the eggs feed on bacteria in that water.

What You Can Do

Now that you know what they’re looking for, it may be a bit easier to prevent mosquitoes in your yard. Step one is eliminating any place you might find standing water. Don’t forget to check hidden places like a divet in the yard where water collects, your kids’ toys and play areas, and even your gutters. Eliminating the water means eliminating the eggs. If you have spaces that regularly fill with water, be sure to flip them over on a regular basis, as it takes so little time (and so little water – just a half inch) for mosquitoes to breed. If you need to, replace the water (like that in a bird bath) on a daily basis. If you can’t empty the water, you’ll want to treat it regularly. Clean the filters, properly chlorinate where necessary, and use mosquito dunks in ponds to help kill larvae.

Step two is to clean your yard meticulously. If your grass is overgrown, your bushes need to be trimmed, or you have quite a bit of junk in your yard, you’re creating the perfect haven for mosquitoes. These sheltered spaces mean a great place for mosquitoes to live and grow, so keep your backyard as clean as possible.

Step three is to repair any holes in window or door screens. Outdoor mosquitoes can easily become an indoor problem if you have screens with problematic holes. Repair them so you don’t suddenly have an explosion of mosquitoes in your house as well as in your backyard.

The final step is to treat your yard, and while you could use some DIY options, you do have more effective choices.

Better Mosquito Removal

If you have a problem in your outdoor living space, it’s time to get rid of mosquitoes! DIY options abound today, but the reality is that they’re not as powerful as you think, and they may leave you spraying dangerous chemicals to no avail.

Slug-A-Bug can help. Whether you’re looking for a one-time treatment or something that will give you long term relief, we have options you can use throughout the year. Give us a call today for a better mosquito removal solution.