Are you unknowingly attracting mosquitoes to your property? Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a ½ inch of standing water, so even items containing water the size of a bottle cap may be mosquito magnets. Many people do not even realize their yard is full of potential mosquito breeding sites until they hire a professional mosquito control service.
With mosquitoes needing very little water to breed, even small amounts of rainfall or moisture can create a host of breeding sites in your backyard. An important part of mosquito control is preventing these pests from breeding and multiplying.
So, here are some common places where mosquitoes like to lay eggs and how to prevent them from becoming breeding sites:
Birdbaths
Your birdbaths might be attracting more than just birds. It is important to frequently change out the water in your birdbaths (about once a week), because they are very popular breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Kiddie pools
Backyard pools are fun, but they can also attract mosquitoes if they are not cleaned out properly. If you don’t want to take the time to empty out the pool after each use, be sure to keep it clean and covered when you are not using it.
Tire swings
Tire swings are popular sites for mosquito breeding because they can easily collect rainwater. Empty any tires in your yard after each rainfall, or drill holes in the bottom of tire swings to let the water drain out.
Toys and buckets
Remember to empty out any toys and buckets in your yard after it rains. These items are high-risk for breeding mosquitoes.
Flower pots
Flowers need water to survive, but that also means your flower pots may attract mosquitoes in search of a breeding site. Make sure to empty out any stagnant water that has collected in your flower pots and planters.
Gutters
If leaves have gathered in your gutters and clogged the drainage system, that can result in a buildup of stagnant water. You can prevent your gutters from becoming mosquito breeding sites by cleaning them out regularly.
Trash cans
Garbage can attract a variety of unwanted pests. After a rainfall, water can collect inside your garbage cans or even on the lids. Make sure that your garbage cans are always tightly closed and that you empty any excess water from the lids.
Pet bowls
If you have any pets, water and food bowls left outside can become popular mosquito breeding sites. We recommend emptying and replacing the water, as well as cleaning the bowl, at least once a week.
Grill covers
Just like pretty much everything else left out in your yard overnight, grill covers are prone to collecting water. Frequently check to make sure water is not gathering on the top of your grill cover, especially after heavy rainfall.
Ensuring mosquitoes do not have anywhere to thrive in your yard is a huge part of proper mosquito control. For more information on how to ensure you have a mosquito-free yard and home, check out our other blogs.