Why Pro Mosquito Control Is The Way To Go For Jacksonville, FL Properties

We’re no strangers to the mosquito here in Jacksonville, FL. Most years, Florida is in the running for the top spot on the “states with most mosquitoes list” (which comes as no surprise to any of us who’s lived here more than five minutes). Our mild winters, vast wetlands, and humid, rainy weather make Florida the perfect place for mosquitoes to thrive.

That’s terrible news for those of us who want to enjoy our outdoor space. Luckily, there’s something we can do about these pests. Below, we’ll talk about a few things that can attract mosquitoes to your Jacksonville, FL property and what you can do to keep them away. 

Maddening Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying. Because of the deadly illnesses they spread, such as malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and a plethora of different encephalitis varieties, mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animal– killing up to a million people every single year. While we don’t have to worry about malaria here in the States, but picking up a mosquito-borne encephalitis infection is a real possibility. While rare, these illnesses can cause brain swelling, permanent brain injury, and even death.

For that reason, above all others, you want to keep mosquitoes off your property. There are tons of ways to do this, some more effective than others. The most effective way to keep mosquitoes away is to get rid of their breeding and feeding spots. To do this:

• Remove Standing Water: Mosquitoes need a water medium to lay their eggs. Some mosquitoes can even get away with moist soil to reproduce. That means you’ll need to not only eliminate kiddie pools, birdbaths, and other sources of stagnant water; you’ll also need to trim hedges, tree branches, and other plants that provide enough shade to prevent evaporation. If you don’t want to get rid of your birdbaths or outdoor pet bowls, you’ll need to change the water in them at least every other day to kill mosquito larvae effectively.
• Get Rid Of Attractive Plants: Mosquitoes don’t use people as a food source; females only seek out a blood meal when they’re ready to lay eggs. Most of the time, mosquitoes feed on nectar and other sweet plant juices. Their favorite flowers include lilies, hyacinths, and other high-nectar flowers, so cutting these down can help encourage mosquitoes to look elsewhere for food.

You can also use a few repellent prevention methods, but adding repellents to your property is not usually as effective as eliminating attractants. Still, if you want to try repellent plants, candles, sprays, etc., here are a few scents mosquitoes dislike:

• Citronella
• Peppermint
• Scented geranium
• Rosemary
• Basil
• Lemon balm
• Lavender
• Marigold
• Bee balm

Try planting one or more of these herbs and flowers around your house to discourage mosquitoes from hanging out nearby. Burning candles or torches in these scents may also somewhat help keep mosquitoes away from you while you’re outside, but again, these measures aren’t nearly as effective as keeping your yard sunny and dry.

What To Do If Your Property Is Infested

If you’ve already got an established infestation, it can be hard to get rid of. Mosquitoes don’t usually travel very far from where they’re born, so once they’re hatched, you’re stuck with them until they die. Fortunately, there’s help out there. Here at Lindsey Pest Services, mosquitoes are one of our specialties. Our mosquito control programs include species identification, species-specific treatment plans, and tailored recommendations for discouraging future mosquito activity. If you’re ready to send these pesky, perilous pests packing, give us a call at (904) 552-2346 or visit our contact page at Lindsey Pest Services to schedule your appointment today.