Best Ways To Keep Your Home Clear of Mosquitoes, According to Experts

Summer is almost here, and unfortunately, so are mosquitoes. Mosquito season in the U.S. can start as early as February in the hottest parts of the country, including Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico, or as late as May in the coldest parts, like Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut.

While most of us usually just dislike mosquitoes for being irritating, they can also be quite dangerous. Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting some of the most deadly diseases on the planet with just one bite. So what can you do to keep your house safe and mosquito-free?

DIY hacks to get rid of mosquitoes in your home

There are tons of cheap home hacks that can help, and below are some of the top ones, according to experts.

Remove areas of standing water

Dr. Michael Bentley, an entomologist at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), says the best home remedy for mosquitoes is breaking their life cycle, by removing any standing-water systems on your property.

Areas of standing water attract mosquitoes because this is where mosquitoes usually lay their eggs and where the larvae develops.

He said: "So it is important to inspect your property weekly for any water-holding containers that should be emptied such as empty tires and flower pots, pool covers, and baby pools. Water in bird baths should be changed weekly as well."

Essential oils

If removing all stagnant water in the house is not enough and the problem persists, you can try using some essential oil to resolve the issue, Kurt Morrell, NYBG's Associate Vice President for Horticulture Operations told Newsweek.

Anything like garlic, lavender, sage, rosemary, and lemon should help repel most mosquito types present in this country. Eucalyptus oil is also an exceptionally good repellent for the bloodsuckers.

Citronella candles

Another cheap, quick home remedy is citronella. Citrus contains a compound called D-limonene, which kills insects by suffocating them and damaging their respiratory system.

Citronella candles can easily be purchased on the high street and are a relatively cheap solution. They are good for both indoor and outdoor use, and make a great solution for your summer barbecues and garden parties.

Mosquito dunks

According to Morrell, the best, most effective, natural way to repel mosquitoes is to use mosquito dunks, which are just bacillus, a natural fungi, that kills the larvae before the mosquito hatches.

Mosquito dunks look like tiny beige donuts, and Morrell says, you're supposed to put them in standing water in your sewers, as that doesn't allow the mosquitoes to hatch.

Dunks are not dangerous to humans and are completely also safe for wildlife, they're just natural fungi.

How to protect yourself personally against mosquitoes

There are also many simple precautions that you can take day-to-day to avoid mosquitoes.

Avoid going outdoors when they're most active

If you want to avoid getting bitten you should try to dodge mosquitoes by learning what times they are more active during the day, and what time you're less likely to encounter them.

Most types of mosquitoes are active around dusk and dawn, so avoiding the outdoors at those times will reduce the likelihood of getting a bite, according to Bentley.

Dress appropriately

Another great way to avoid mosquito bites all over your body is not giving them the chance to reach your skin.

So if you are planning on going outside, Bentley advises wearing long sleeves, long pants, and insect repellents to protect skin from mosquitoes.

Keep windows and doors closed

Mosquitoes cannot enter your home if you shut all your windows and doors, so to avoid them, be sure to keep doors and windows screened or closed, especially during dawn and dusk, which are "peak mosquito feeding times", according to Bentley.

He also suggests inspecting screens and door thresholds around the house, to ensure they are not damaged and are functioning properly.

Are mosquitoes dangerous? Health risks they bring along

Mosquitoes are well known to spread a number of deadly diseases to humans, earning them the reputation as one of the most dangerous arthropods on the planet.

"Most prevalent in the U.S. are West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and dengue fever. Worldwide, they also spread yellow fever, malaria, and chikungunya. Each of these diseases can be very harmful and even deadly to humans," said Bentley.

What attracts mosquitoes?

Female mosquitoes are attracted to humans because they require a blood meal to develop and lay fertile eggs.

"They find us using a combination of cues including the carbon dioxide we breathe out, the odors we produce in our sweat, and color contrast," Bentley said.

However, he also pointed out that some recent studies have shown that certain factors such as the color of your clothes or the perfume you wear can increase how attractive a person is to female mosquitoes.

"Some of these, such as wearing dark-colored clothing or flowery perfume, can easily be avoided. Other factors like blood type, body temperature, and the presence of naturally occurring bacteria on the skin are unavoidable."

You may have notices that mosquitoes bite you more often that they do other people, if so you're probably right and there are some reasons for that.

Female mosquitoes are equipped with special odor receptors, to help locate their preys, which detect carbon dioxide and the scents of humans.

For this reason, people who are greater emitters of carbon dioxide, generally, when they are either overweight or pregnant, tend to be more attractive to mosquitoes.

Blood type, methabolism, clothing colors, and genetics also factors that contribute to mosquitoes biting some people more than others.

How to stop them breeding near your home

Mosquitoes usually lay their eggs in areas with at least ½ inch of stagnant water, but according to Bentley, where exactly they choose to do so can differ by mosquito type.

He said: "Some day-time biting mosquitoes such as the Asian tiger mosquito prefer to lay their eggs along the edges of water-holding containers. Other mosquitoes will lay their eggs directly on the surface of the water individually or in egg rafts."

To get rid of mosquito eggs and breeding grounds, Bentley recommends inspecting your property weekly for water-holding items that could contain mosquito eggs. These items may include flowerpots, birdbaths, tire swings, grill covers, and other objects where water collects.

"Homeowners should also unclog gutters, repair any leaky pipes or faucets on the outside of their home, drill holes in the bottom of tire swings and wheel barrels to allow water to drain, and ensure trash cans are tightly sealed and lids aren't flipped upside down," he added.