Spring should be the season for porch-sitting and soaking in the sunshine, especially after a long, cold Nebraska winter. Instead, it often becomes a time to fend off one of the most annoying insects: mosquitoes. Nothing spoils backyard fun faster than mosquitoes buzzing around. Not only are they a nuisance, but they can also carry diseases, making it important to take steps to keep them at bay. Here are a few helpful tips:

1. Minimize Breeding Grounds

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water, and it doesn’t take much—just a bottle cap’s worth will do. That’s why removing standing water around your home is one of the most effective ways to keep mosquitoes away. Some things you can do are clean out clogged gutters, fix leaks and refill bird baths and outdoor pet bowls with fresh water regularly. If you have decorative water features, install a pump to keep the water moving.

2. Keep Your Lawn Well-Manicured

Although it may feel like the opposite, mosquitoes aren’t actually buzzing about at all hours of the day. Sometimes, mosquitoes prefer to hide in damp, shady areas away from the heat. Overgrown grass and bushes are just the resting spots they’re looking for. To avoid attracting mosquitoes to your yard, keep your lawn well-manicured. Keep grass short, clear out leaf piles and trim back bushes and shrubs, especially those near doors and windows.

3. Use Nature to Your Advantage

Natural repellents might not always be 100% foolproof, but certain plants can help deter mosquitoes when strategically placed around your yard. In Nebraska’s spring climate, citronella, lemon balm, lavender, rosemary and catnip tend to thrive. These plants are all known for their mosquito-repelling properties. Plant them near sitting areas, walkways and doors to get the most out of their mosquito-fighting power.

4. Hang Mosquito Nets

This solution can be a bit of a controversial one. Many people view mosquito nets as unattractive to have hanging around their yard or patio. Others recognize the value in this simple solution. When you think of mosquito nets, you might picture them hanging over a bed, since this is one of the most common places to put them. However, there are plenty of areas outside your home where you can use mosquito nets to protect yourself from these pesky insects. For example, they can be hung over patios, gazebos, pergolas or even from strong tree branches to protect areas where you have outdoor furniture or activities.

5. Install Screens and Seal Entry Points

Another option similar to hanging mosquito nets, although maybe not quite as cost-effective, is to install screens around your porch and over the windows. Stopping them from entering your home is the first step in preventing an indoor infestation. If you already have screens installed around your home, make sure they’re in good shape with no rips or holes. If any of your screens are damaged, replace or patch them up. It’s also worth checking around your home for other entry points, like small cracks or gaps, in walls or the foundation. Placing mesh over vents and adding weatherstripping around doors and windows can also go a long way.

6. Call the Pros

Even after taking all the right steps, mosquitoes can still slip through the cracks—quite literally. That’s where professional pest control comes in. Long-term preventive mosquito control is the only sure-fire way to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Using their expert knowledge of mosquito behavior and specialized equipment, pest control technicians target infestations at the source, protecting your home all year long. 

If mosquitoes are putting a damper on your outdoor springtime relaxation, then it’s time to make the Omaha mosquito control experts at Pro-Staff your pest control home team. Contact us today for a free inspection and enjoy your porch in peace again!