Lately, there are a lot of companies beginning to offer mosquito spraying services. These companies will come to your home and spray your yard with citronella and other chemicals, which they claim will keep mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests away. But how effective is spraying for mosquitoes, and are there other effective ways to get rid of them? Read on to find out.

Is Spraying For Mosquitoes Effective?

According to a study conducted by Consumer Reports, mosquito spraying services may not be as effective as you’d hope. The company tested a battery-powered diffuser that sprays out a compound called gerenoil and found it was not effective at keeping Aedes mosquitos, a species known to bite aggressively, at bay.

The scientists at Consumer Reports also recommend against any system that mists or sprays insecticides, since there is a risk of you or others in the area inhaling these chemicals, which in many cases have been linked to serious illnesses and health problems.

How Can You Keep Mosquitoes and Other Pests Out of Your Yard?

The number one key to keeping your yard free of mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests, is really to keep your landscaping and yard tidy. Mosquitoes and many other bugs breed in puddles and swampy areas, so if your yard has any low-spots or poorly drained areas, have them filled in and drainage tile added.

You should also keep your swimming pool cover clear of standing water by draining it regularly. Clean your gutters to eliminate leaves, which may promote standing water, and store items like wheelbarrows and watering cans upside down, so they don’t catch rainwater.

Many insects, including ticks and mosquitoes, prefer the shade. So, if you keep your lawn mowed regularly and trim your trees to reduce shade, you should see fewer of these pests.

What Are Some Ways to Eliminate Mosquitoes From The Immediate Area?

Mosquitoes move about quite quickly, so even if you do not regularly have a lot of them in your yard, they may travel from nearby areas and gather around you when you spend time outside for a picnic or other gathering. An easy way to keep them away is to set up an oscillating fan near the area where you’re sitting. The breeze from the fan will keep mosquitoes away by making it hard for them to fly.

Using LED light bulbs around your home may also help keep mosquitoes at bay after dark. They are less attracted to these lights than to standard incandescent bulbs. Citronella candles, in spite of their popularity, did not seem to be overly effective when studied by Consumer Reports.

Before you start spraying for mosquitoes, make sure you’re doing all that you can to make your yard less appealing to pests. If you need assistance with your landscaping, contact Hassle Free Home Services. We offer lawn mowing, bed weeding, leaf cleanup, and an array of other services that will ultimately help keep insects away.