Effective Mosquito Control: Prevent & Repel

Mosquitoes are a common insect in various climates and typically suck nectar. Female mosquitoes, especially pregnant females, seek out the bodies of mammals to suck small quantities of blood and nourish themselves before laying eggs in standing water. They are considered irritating pests, but in many areas they also transmit serious and potentially fatal diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever.

Instructions

• 1

  Destroy mosquito breeding grounds on your property, especially in areas that collect stagnant water such as garbage can lids, gutters and discarded tires or other hollow containers. Female mosquitoes can be lured to standing water with vinegar in it, which kills mosquito eggs.

• 2

  Arrange certain plants and flowers in your garden to create a barrier of undesirable and irritating scents for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes especially hate garlic, marigolds, lemongrass, catnip, basil and rose geraniums.

• 3

  Use a DEET-based repellent. While these aren't as environmentally neutral as garlic or citronella-based repellents, those repellents are nowhere near as effective in repelling mosquitoes.