Home Strategies for Controlling Mosquitoes

With the warmer temperatures of spring, mosquitos are back in action. These annoying pests love stagnant water, so one way to reduce mosquito activity in your home is to eliminate moisture-prone areas in and around your home. In today’s post,  gutters replacement contractor Gutter Helmet® of Eastern NY shares a look at some strategies that can help.


1. Use Structural Barriers
Mosquitoes frequently bite indoors, which is why they should be prevented from getting into your home. Structural barriers such as insect screens (which come with most replacement windows or can be purchased separately), mosquito nets and baby netting help prevent contact. Gaps in the weatherstripping should be fixed to prevent potential points of access.
2. Eliminate Mosquito Habitats
Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water, so it’s important to ensure there’s no standing water in your home. Get rid of water in open jars, old tires, and soda bottles. Even water in a bottle cap is enough for mosquitoes to breed in. If you have a swimming pool, keep the water treated and circulating. Address any gutter issues, as standing water in the gutter can also be a mosquito habitat. Seamless gutters are less prone to hold water than sectional ones, making them a worthwhile investment.
3. Control Mosquito Larvae
Mosquito larvae, also known as “wrigglers,” hatch from mosquito eggs within 48 hours after laying. Getting rid of eggs and larvae using larvicides before disposing of the water is fairly effective, but doesn’t completely remove mosquitoes. Where there are eggs, there are female mosquitoes. You might be surprised to know that only female mosquitoes bite; males consume plant nectar for sustenance.
4. Control Adult Mosquitoes
EPA-registered pesticides, also known as “adulticides”, are particularly effective, but must only be done by professionals. These pesticides are dispersed using ultra-low volume (ULV) sprays, which means the droplets are so small, they drift in the air, which kills airborne mosquitoes. You will need to consult with a local EPA office if you are noticing a large number of adult mosquitoes in your area.
Gutter Helmet of Eastern NY is your leading provider of gutter installation services. Give us a call at (866) 252-9400 or fill out our contact form.