Are mosquitoes still swarming around your property even after you’ve performed a variety of mosquito control methods and hired professionals? In this situation, you probably wonder whether or not mosquito control and removal efforts actually work.
Let’s discuss that in this article.
Does Mosquito Control Really Work?
Yes, mosquito control and removal strategies work. But various factors impact whether or not you will see results from your efforts.
The mosquito eradication strategies, the frequency of treatment, the product you use, the compatibility of the treatment with the species of mosquito you are dealing with, and many other factors will determine your mosquito control success.
If you want to hire a professional to solve your mosquito infestation problem, it is best to consider the knowledge and skills of the team and the products they use. These factors typically impact the result of your mosquito eradication efforts.
Why Does Mosquito Control Fail?
If your mosquito control and removal methods are ineffective, you or the person you hire probably got something wrong. Here are some of the common reasons mosquito control does not work:
Not Being Thorough
An important part of mosquito control is eliminating the breeding grounds of these tiny bloodsuckers: typically stagnant water in flower pots, open containers, old tires, etc. By draining stagnant water, mosquito eggs will not have a chance to grow into biting adults.
If you’re doing mosquito control yourself, it can be easy to miss larval breeding sites. And this could put your efforts to waste. You will likely find mosquitoes flying around just a few days after getting rid of existing adult mosquitoes.
Using Ineffective Products and Devices
Mosquito infestation is a common, recurring problem in many parts of the world. And many companies have manufactured products to address the issue. However, not all products you see on the market actually work. For example, a study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology has proven salt-water solutions ineffective in reducing mosquito populations.
Unfortunately, brands are good at marketing their products, making it easy for anyone to believe their promises. Using ineffective products or devices will render your mosquito control efforts unsuccessful.
Poor Lawn Management
Tall grasses, shrubs, and trees are favorite spots of mosquitoes because these places give them refuge from the sun and wind. And one common mistake you can make during mosquito season is neglecting your lawn.
Unkempt lawns are inviting to mosquitoes. So if you notice a swarm of mosquitoes even after applying mosquito control products, it’s likely because of your tall turf. When you observe this, you should know it’s time to mow the grass and treat the trees and other foliage.
Not Taking the Type of Mosquito Into Consideration
All mosquitoes look the same to an untrained eye. But it is important to note that there are many types of mosquitoes around the globe, with over 80 species in Canada alone. Each of them has unique characteristics. For example, the Culex mosquito breeds in polluted standing water, while the Aedes mosquito prefers to lay its eggs on moist soil.
One mosquito control mistake that could lead to poor results is implementing only one strategy and not taking the time to identify the types of mosquitoes you are dealing with.
Not Including the Community in Your Mosquito Control Efforts
Mosquitoes fly, which means they can go from your neighbour’s property to your own. So if you are still having problems with mosquitoes even after removing all standing water and using proven products to eliminate both eggs and adult mosquitoes, the community may be what’s making your mosquito control efforts fail.
What Really Works to Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Aside from avoiding what’s on the list above, here are some tips to ensure mosquito control success.
Adopt an Integrated Approach
The key to mosquito control success is intervening at multiple points in a mosquito’s life cycle. You should address the breeding, larval, and adult stages using a comprehensive and integrated approach.
This means implementing more than just one mosquito removal strategy. The combination of mosquito control methods should not be chosen randomly. You must conduct surveillance, like keeping track of the types and numbers of mosquitoes in your area, to determine what strategy will work.
Address the Root Cause of the Problem
You may get annoyed by bloodsucking adult mosquitoes because of their itchy bites and irritating sounds. Eggs and larvae don’t do much to annoy you, so you may be tempted to deal only with the flying adult mosquitoes.
But if you want to control the mosquito population, the first step is to nip the problem in the bud by eliminating eggs and larvae. As mentioned above, mosquitoes can breed in water and soil, so you must investigate and find out where the mosquitoes lay their eggs. If the eggs are in stagnant water, you can simply drain the water or apply a treatment.
Use EPA-Registered Products
To ensure the product you’ll be using for mosquito control is effective, choose one registered with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
Make sure you read and follow instructions on whatever mosquito control products you want to use. Implement safety precautions as well, especially when using chemical pesticides.
Involve Your Community
Community involvement is essential for mosquito control, especially in urban areas where houses are built close to each other. You can only successfully reduce (if not completely eliminate) the mosquito population in your immediate area if there are no open containers and other mosquito breeding sites around.
Why Choose Natural Mosquito Control?
When it comes to mosquito control, you have two options: natural vs. chemical.
If you haven’t tried natural methods and products, now is the time to consider switching. Natural methods have numerous advantages, both for our health and the environment.
First and foremost, natural mosquito control methods are non-toxic and do not pose health risks to humans, pets, or beneficial insects. Chemical pesticides, on the other hand, can have harmful effects on a human’s respiratory and immune systems, especially in vulnerable individuals.
In addition, natural mosquito control methods are environmentally friendly. Traditional pesticides can contaminate water sources, harm aquatic life, and disrupt ecosystems. In contrast, natural alternatives, such as mosquito-repelling plants or essential oils, do not leave harmful residues or contribute to pollution.
By choosing natural mosquito control methods, you can protect yourself and your surroundings from harmful chemicals while contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment.
LawnMart Mosquito Control Strategy
If you’re ready to switch to natural mosquito control methods, let LawnMart help. LawnMart is your local provider of mosquito control services near and around the Greater Toronto Area.
LawnMart implements a comprehensive mosquito control strategy to solve your mosquito problems. It involves treating trees and foliage around your property with a safe botanical insect control product and introducing natural bacteria in standing water that you cannot drain. The team repeats the process six times every season to make sure no mosquitoes survive in your area.
To learn more about the company’s services, please do not hesitate to get in touch.