A Practical Mosquito Prevention Guide For Your Boise Yard

How To Identify A Mosquito

Mosquitoes come out at night. They are tiny insects that aren’t easily observed because their lightweight and fast wings make them evasive unless they stop to take a blood meal. Mosquitoes have a long straw-like probe called a proboscis that protrudes from their mouth. Similar-looking insects include the crane fly and non-biting midges.

Mosquitoes are pollinators. They spend three-quarters of their life in water, and they are harbingers of disease to both humans and pets. These pests make uncomfortable outdoor guests. Male mosquitoes do not bite; they only eat nectar. Only breeding females bite, and they can consume up to three times their body weight in one night. After they’ve taken a blood meal, the female will travel up to three miles to lay up to 200 eggs at a time.

The Dangerous Diseases Mosquito Bites Are Known To Spread

Mosquitoes don’t just ruin a good outdoor event. These pests are known to spread a handful of zoonotic diseases which are passed from human to animal and back again.
Harmful diseases transmitted by mosquitoes include:

• Zika virus
• Malaria
• West Nile virus
• Dengue
• Chikungunya
• Yellow fever
• Encephalitis
• Tularemia
• Heartworm disease

Heartworm disease can only be transmitted to animals, and many of the other diseases listed are found primarily in other parts of the world. However, people and animals in Boise have encountered the encephalitis virus. And diseases aren't the only problem mosquitoes cause with their bites; the bites themselves can take a toll on your immune system. When mosquitoes bite, it transmits their own DNA mixed with saliva to create an anticoagulant, and that serum creates an itchy bump. Your immune system will activate a response to the serum for up to a week after a bite.

Six Eco-Friendly Mosquito Prevention For Around Your Yard

There are many ways to get rid of mosquitoes. Often, you can prevent mosquitoes from entering your yard by making it uninhabitable. Here are six eco-friendly tips that keep mosquitoes away from your yard:

1. Get rid of mosquitoes in your yard by removing standing water.
2. Scented candles to keep mosquitoes away from your yard are effective. Citronella is a classic scent, but lemon eucalyptus is another one that works particularly well.
3. There are outdoor plants that repel mosquitoes. Grow nonnative plant species like dill, marigolds, and basil around your home.  
4. Use an oscillating fan when you’re entertaining outside. The wind deters them because mosquitoes are not strong fliers.
5. Peppermint, lemongrass, and eucalyptus essential oils work well topically as mosquito repellents.
6. Wear light-colored clothing, like pastels and white.

There are multiple ways to get rid of mosquitoes because these insects are small, weak, and easily perish in the sun. Eliminating standing water is the number one thing to keep mosquitoes off your property. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. If conditions are ideal, mosquitoes will lay eggs, and their offspring will go through three different stages of the lifecycle and develop into an adult within one week. If conditions are not ideal, like there isn’t adequate water, eggs will remain viable for six months waiting for the right circumstances.

The Most Effective Mosquito Control For Your Boise Yard

There are several ways to repel mosquitoes and only a few ways to eliminate them when you have a problem. Over-the-counter, broad use pesticides from your local hardware store may be somewhat effective; however, they can easily be overused, overdosed, and applied improperly, which can cause harm to both you and the environment. If you need pest control, trust the professional at Owyhee Environmental to deliver quality eco-friendly results.