Let’s review the alternate tactics to combat backyard pests
Sitting outside on a deck or patio on a warm day is one of life’s little pleasures. Whether it’s a barbecue, party, or just a relaxing way to spend an evening, it’s an enjoyable experience. That is until the attack comes. Unfortunately, if you spend any amount of time outside, especially in South Florida, you will encounter insects. And while most are just an annoyance, the same can no longer be said about mosquitos.
Mosquitos have long been known as a carrier of a disease, but it used to be that you were only really at risk if you visited certain foreign countries. But because of the Zika virus, that has changed. While known outbreaks in the U.S. are still minimal, the troubling news is that local infections are occurring South Florida. The best thing you can do to protect yourself outdoors is to find ways to keep mosquitos away.
Beyond the proven steps of stocking up on sprays and making sure to dump out any standing water on your property, here are some other tactics individuals try, with varying success:
Smell things up
One way to make mosquitos turn around is to attack their sense of smell. Citronella oil, for example, is a decent insect repellent that can ward off mosquitos and other bugs due to its strong smell. Citronella can be purchased as candles or incense sticks that contain it. A drawback of these items is that they only tend to work if you are right next to them – and many people don’t like the smell, either.
Mosquito-repelling plants and oils?
Certain plants, herbs, and oils have mosquito-repellant properties. Lavender, basil, lemongrass, tea tree, and rosemary all make a mosquito’s list of most-hated greenery. Just like with citronella, it’s the smell that they don’t like.
But simply planting items isn’t all that effective – to reap benefits, individuals need to place an extract like lavender oil directly on the skin. And research has shown that essential oils have a widely-varying effect based on the concentration, they often have limited staying power, and some individuals experience an allergic reaction to certain oils.
Blow them away
It may sound obvious, but a fan can indeed help keep mosquitos and other irritating insects away. Plus, when you set a few up on your patio, you and any guests will be able to stay nice and cool.
The real deal: Set up a misting system
Some of the above ideas may have some effect, but they require work on your part and they have limited impact. If you’d prefer an easier, much more effective way to prevent mosquitos from being a problem at your home or business, an automatic misting system is the way to go.
With a misting system from Platinum Mosquito Protection, your home will be protected 24/7 by an automated spray that includes a broad-spectrum pesticide derived from the chrysanthemum flower. Learn more about how our systems work and contact us today to set up a free onsite consultation.
