Guide To All-Natural Mosquito Repellents In Houston

If you want to keep mosquitoes away, the first thought that is likely to come to mind is that you will have to use a repellent. It is common practice to apply mosquito repellent before going out into the woods or some other place where mosquitoes are abundant. But it isn't any fun to have to put repellent on every time you go out into your backyard. Are there all-natural solutions to help you keep mosquitoes at bay? There are indeed. Today, we're offering up a quick guide to all-natural mosquito repellents that will help you with mosquito control and prevention. In this guide, we'll cover why mosquitoes bite you and why over-the-counter control solutions aren't up to the task of convincing them to stop. Then, we'll look at what plants work best to deter mosquitoes and tell you what you can add on top of plant repellents to give you the most effective, all-natural mosquito control in your yard. If you're ready, let's jump right in. But remember, you don't have to take care of pest problems on your own. All-Safe Pest & Termite is available to provide pest control services in Houston to properties needing assistance. Call or text to request information about getting a professional mosquito treatment for your yard.

Why Mosquitoes Are A Major Nuisance For Houston Homeowners

The simple answer to why mosquitoes in Houston are a major nuisance in Houston is that mosquitoes bite. But the fact that they bite is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more reasons why mosquitoes are such an incredible nuisance, and understanding why can actually help you reduce the threat and discomfort of mosquito bites. Let's run down the list.

Mosquitoes Bite: All mosquitoes bite you, right? Actually, they don't. Only female mosquitoes bite. The reason a female mosquito wants to bite you has to do with reproduction. She can't nourish her eggs if she doesn't get a blood meal. Therefore, biting you is no small matter. That makes female mosquitoes a persistent annoyance.

Pro Tip: Use a control method that impacts mosquito reproduction.

Mosquito Bites Itch: Often, it isn't the mosquito bite that is annoying. When a mosquito feeds on blood, her saliva enters the wound. In the saliva are proteins that your body detects and attempts to fight off by sending histamines to the site of the wound. These histamines cause the itching, swelling, warmth, and rash. If mosquito bites didn't itch, mosquitoes wouldn't be such a major nuisance.

Pro Tip: Use a cold compress, antihistamine, and anti-itch cream to help reduce the discomfort.

Mosquitoes Can Make You Sick: There are many diseases spread by mosquitoes. Some are deadly. Here, in the United States, the vast majority of mosquito bites do not result in serious sickness. What is far more typical is sickness resembling the flu or the common cold, which is only enough to cause a nuisance.

Pro Tip: Effective mosquito control in Houston helps reduce sickness related to these pests.

Mosquitoes Are Plentiful: If you only had to deal with one little mosquito once in a while, they wouldn't cause such a nuisance. Why are there so many mosquitoes in your backyard? It is linked to reproduction. Mosquitoes don't travel far. Female mosquitoes lay eggs by the hundreds and create a swarm that lives in your yard.

Pro Tip: Prevent female mosquitoes from laying eggs near your home and address adult mosquitoes for a one-two punch that makes your yard a nicer place to relax.

Mosquitoes Are Hard To Repel: When you spend money to get rid of the mosquitoes in your yard, it is a nuisance when these control products let you down. But this happens quite often because mosquito control isn't straightforward.

Pro Tip: Apply methods that don't require specialized knowledge in mosquito control and prevention. We'll look at these methods at the end of this article.

Now, you have a general overview of mosquito control. Hopefully, we've helped you broaden your understanding. Before we move on to ways you can repel mosquitoes, let's quickly drill into the last point we shared. Let's talk about control products Houston residents use to repel mosquitoes.

Why Over-The-Counter Mosquito Control Solutions Can Be A Mistake

The list of products available to help you with mosquito control is a long one. Are they all a waste of money? No. In fact, many products available to you are backed by scientific research. The problem often has little to do with the product used and far more to do with how the products are implemented. There are many challenges. You may apply a product in the wrong zone. Your treatment may become ineffective because of environmental conditions. You may only use one product or method and not get a level of control that is noticeable. Female mosquitoes may go around repelling smells. Your control method may not be up to the task of addressing the mosquito pressures in your yard. You may have conducive conditions on your property that require more extensive management in order to achieve results.

Mosquitoes in Houston are particularly tricky because the environmental conditions here are favorable. If you don't know what products to use and how to apply them in an integrated control solution, you're going to have a difficult time reducing mosquitoes to a comfortable level.

All-Natural Solutions: Plants That Deter Mosquitoes

The topic of using plants to deter mosquitoes is one that is often misunderstood. When we're asked, "What are the best plants to get rid of mosquitoes," our response is, "None." There is no magical plant that you can put in your yard to keep mosquitoes away. But you can use plants as one part of your mosquito bite prevention plan. Here are five facts to understand:

1. You must activate the essential oils in the plants in order to create a scent that keeps mosquitoes away.
2. It isn't enough to simply crush or rustle plants to generate a mosquito-repellent scent. It isn't strong enough.
3. Burning the plants in a fire pit can deter mosquitoes. But the female mosquitoes may go around the bad smell and still zero in on you.
4. Rubbing the plants and applying the oils to your skin works best, but keep in mind that natural oils can cause irritation. Use small amounts first.
5. The plants that are scientifically proven to deter mosquitoes are citronella grass, lemon grass, lavender, lemon balm, lemon thyme, catnip, rosemary, and basil. 

If you plant these mosquito-repellent plants near outdoor recreation areas, crush and apply the oils to your skin, and throw some on a cookout fire, you can deter mosquitoes, but you'll need to apply other methods on top to achieve the best all-natural results. Let's look at how to keep mosquitoes away from your yard naturally.

How To Minimize Your Risk For Mosquito Bites

We discussed at the beginning of this article the two ways to effectively deal with mosquitoes are to control mosquito populations and address mosquito reproduction. While the best way to do this is to get mosquito control near you, you're not without options.

Here are some all-natural methods that reduce mosquito populations, deter reproduction, and minimize mosquito bites:

• Remove objects from your yard that are collecting rainwater. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water sources.
• Pour water out. It takes mosquitoes a little over a week to develop into flying adults. If you pour the larvae or pupae out onto the ground, they'll dry up.
• Address damp landscaping. Mosquitoes are attracted to humid spaces and may find a suitable breeding site in damp landscaping. Cleaning out your gutters, trimming your plants, and raking leaves will help to deter mosquitoes.
• Address weeds in your lawn and landscaping. Male and female mosquitoes eat nectar as a primary food source. When they enter your yard and find lots of flowers, they're going to encroach.
• Use practical, all-natural methods to prevent bites. Wear shirts with sleeves. Wear pants instead of shorts. Use screens to keep mosquitoes out of recreation areas. Use a fan to keep mosquitoes off while sitting or lounging in one spot.

These tips provide a layered approach to mosquito control and prevention. They require no knowledge of mosquito control product application. When more control is needed, contact a licensed professional. A technician will inspect your yard and evaluate the conditions that relate to mosquito habitation, apply appropriate control materials in key areas, and make sure your treatments are applied often enough to maintain protection. Some licensed professionals, like All-Safe Pest & Termite, also use natural mosquito traps to lure females in and eliminate them and their eggs using fungal spores. These traps also use female mosquitoes to spread the spores around your property, making hidden breeding sites unusable. Want to learn more? Why not open a dialog with us about your mosquito control needs? If you live in Houston or the surrounding area, connect with us today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Houston. Our desire is to help you find the perfect solutions for your yard, your home, and your family.