Mosquitoes are notorious for their irritating buzzing and itchy bites, not to mention their reputation as disease carriers. Here are some mosquito control ideas to help protect your family from these annoying pests.

Mosquito Challenges in Toronto

If you’re new to the area, you might wonder, “Are mosquitoes bad in Toronto?” Unfortunately, this city’s humid continental climate is ideal for mosquitoes to thrive. While there are consistent government efforts to keep them in check, Toronto residents can still expect a visit from these pesky insects.

Some mosquitoes in Toronto may carry the West Nile virus, which makes backyard mosquito control crucial. While not all mosquitoes carry this virus, those that do can spread it to humans and animals. In rare situations, such diseases can result in serious medical conditions like paralysis.

Essential Tips for Effective Mosquito Control

Here are some good ways to keep mosquitoes off your lawn and off your body.

Drain Standing Water

One of the best ways to control the mosquito population in your landscape is to remove their breeding sites. Most mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water you can find in gutters, tires, and other containers. Start your mosquito control efforts in Toronto with the removal of these potential mosquito habitats. Change or empty water in wading pools, bird baths, and potted plant trays at least once a week. Keep the water treated and flowing, and empty or replenish makeshift pools with dirt.

Introduce Natural Predators in Mosquito Habitats

If you can’t completely drain standing water in an area, take precautions to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there. Introduce mosquito larvae-eating fish, such as minnows, bluegills, and goldfish. Prune plants close to bodies of water. Installing pond pumps will also help because it will keep the water moving.

Maintain Your Yard

Mosquitoes prefer to rest and settle in cool, moist, dark places. Trimming trees and shrubs and ensuring that your grass is not too long will help make your lawn less appealing to mosquitoes. Use natural pesticides on shrubs, shade tree branches, decks, foundations, and pest resting places.

Use Mosquito Traps

Adding a mosquito trap is another way to keep mosquitoes off your property. For example, CO2 mosquito traps release an attractant that pulls mosquitoes toward the trap and away from your family and pets. The mosquitoes are drawn into the apparatus by its enticing scent, where they become trapped and eventually perish from thirst.

Natural Mosquito Repellents for Toronto Homes

At LawnMart, we use organic products for lawn care and pest control to keep you, your family, and your pets safe (while protecting the ecosystem). Here are some natural mosquito repellents you can introduce to your lawn and other parts of your property:

Plants

In addition to being effective at keeping mosquitoes away, many mosquito-repellent plants are also lovely and fragrant. Here are a few:

Basil is a common herb with a potent scent that repels mosquitoes and leaves a pleasant, fresh aroma.
Geranium is a strong mosquito repellent but needs to be triggered by rubbing the leaves firmly against the exposed skin.
Peppermint has a refreshing scent and is a good mosquito deterrent.
Lavender is a tough, colorful plant with a pleasant scent that repels mosquitoes.
Ageratum is an annual flower with coumarin that helps deter mosquitoes but can be toxic to humans and animals, so plant it with caution.
Eucalyptus contains a natural compound that keeps mosquitoes away, but you have to crush the leaves for it to work.
Catnip is a potent mosquito repellent but is invasive. It might not be a good idea to plant if you have a cat.
Marigolds are easy-to-grow annuals that give off a scent that disorients mosquitoes.
Rosemary has a strong woody scent that keeps insects and mosquitoes away.

Animals

You can attract mosquito eaters to your yard by building habitats for them.

Dragonfly larvae eat mosquito eggs, while the flying adults eat adult mosquitoes. Having a pond with few or no fish and planting black-eyed Susans and meadow sage can help attract dragonflies.
Young turtles can make a serious dent in the mosquito larvae population in your area. You can keep a turtle as a pet.
Mosquitoes are easy snacks for bats because of their sonar-like ability to locate their prey, especially for nighttime-active mosquitoes. Place bat houses in tall trees to encourage them to move in.
Frogs and toads are common insect eaters and won’t spare the mosquitoes in your yard. To draw them in, you can add water features to your lawn.

Creating a Mosquito-Free Environment

Perform Routine Inspections

Establishing a mosquito-free environment requires routine inspection and the removal of standing water, which is a potential breeding ground. All outdoor objects that can hold water, such as pots, old tires, and buckets, should be flushed. Remember to clean your gutters, too, as blocked drainage can retain water and become an inviting habitat for these insects.

Mosquitoes also lay their eggs in water-collecting areas such as low, poorly drained areas and mud puddles. Remove them by applying a layer of stone, adding topsoil on top of that, and reseeding, if necessary.

Seal Gaps or Openings in Your Home

Because of their small size, mosquitoes can fit through even the smallest openings or cracks. Make sure that you regularly check and seal doors, windows, and any other possible openings. Add nets and screens to windows and doors for better protection.

Additionally, you can add screens to your porch and other outdoor spaces like gazebos. Mosquitoes won’t be able to pass through the tightly woven mesh used in screens. However, remember that these screens can potentially trap heat and obstruct the breeze.

Don’t Skip Landscaping Maintenance

Maintaining your landscaping can effectively deter mosquitoes from your property by creating a less enticing environment. Prioritize effective drainage management by sloping your property to encourage water runoff and eliminating water-collecting objects. Consider adding aeration devices or introducing predatory fish or insects in areas where water collection is inevitable.

Trim any overgrowth and thin out dense trees or shrubs in your yard. If there are any plants surrounding a body of water, remove them and install pumps to keep the water from being stagnant.

Switch to Yellow “Bug” Lights

The light from conventional light bulbs attracts mosquitoes. Upgrade your outdoor lighting to yellow “bug” lights or sodium lamps instead of regular ones, as they tend to draw fewer insects.

Use an Oscillating Fan

If you are hosting an outdoor activity, you can use a fan as a temporary mosquito control measure. A fan’s powerful breeze is sufficient to chase mosquitoes away, blow away mosquito-attracting smells, and prevent them from landing on people. An oscillating fan creates erratic airflow and makes it harder for mosquitoes to navigate your space. The refreshing breeze is a plus, too.

Hire a Mosquito Control Professional

You can also hire Toronto mosquito control experts, like LawnMart. Our skilled specialists can assess your property, locate possible mosquito breeding and resting areas, and efficiently apply organic insecticides.

Make Your Lawn Mosquito-Free With LawnMart

Your Toronto lawn deserves to be free from mosquitoes. However, we understand that not everyone has the time or know-how to undertake such a significant task. If you are looking for experts in mosquito control near you, consider LawnMart. We’re your local mosquito control experts committed to providing you with the best organic mosquito control services.

Unlike typical lawn care companies, our professionals use odorless botanical insect control and treat stagnant water with a natural bacterium to effectively and safely combat mosquitoes. This approach is far safer than methods like chemical fogging.

Four Things Every Toronto Property Owner Should Know About Mosquito Control