Mosquitoes are one of the single most annoying insects in the entire world, there are few places they don’t exist and proliferate in and you’re likely aware of how bad they can get in the Chicagoland area. Mosquito Control can be tricky as they are able to lay their eggs in almost any puddle of water they can find. They are generally weak fliers when compared to their cousins, the House Fly, and most species of Mosquito you can kill quite easily, but there are a few species of Mosquito that are much stronger and more agile.

WHY DO I NEED MOSQUITO CONTROL?

This seems like a dumb question to ask, and as it relates to lawn care it’s not very important to the aesthetic, or health of your lawn, but this is an optional service afterall. Mosquitoes are vectors for disease and in general a great annoyance to your property, especially when children are in consideration.

IN CHICAGOLAND WHEN SHOULD I EMPLOY MOSQUITO CONTROLS?

For the most part, Mosquitoes become active during the warm and hot months, which is why they’re considered summer pests. The mosquito season typically begins in the early spring and peaks over the summer. They still continue to be a problem late summer because they actually like muggy and humid weather. Thankfully in the fall, populations begin to disappear and they will stay gone almost entirely for winter before spring rolls in again. Usually the best time to implement effective Mosquito controls is in the winter when you have a chance to prepare before they come at all, much like weed control really.

CAN I PREVENT THE MOSQUITOS FROM BREEDING?

1. Check for standing water on your property. Water is where Mosquitoes lay their eggs, and they don’t need very deep water to do if so anywhere there is standing water on your property is fair game for them. This can be cups, buckets, or trash bins. They can be sloped areas that tend to pool up water faster than it can be absorbed by the ground or evaporated by the sun. (Areas like this tend to be big no no’s for proper turf management anyway.)
2. Inspect the foundation of your property. Clean out your eaves, roof gutters, or drain pipes. Install tight fitting screens on doors and windows, and repair any foundational issues that may contribute to moisture accumulation.
3. Maintain your Turf and Shrubberies. Mosquitoes will rest on leaves or blades, giving them less surface area to mass on overall will help keep them away. Mowing your lawn and trimming your plants should help.
4. Import or encourage predators to stay on your property. If you have a pond on your property getting some frogs or fish will help as they feed on the eggs of Mosquitoes. Dragonflies, Bats, and some birds all make effective predators for Mosquitoes too.

WHAT MOSQUITO REPELLENT OPTIONS ARE THERE?

There are two kinds overall, Natural and Chemical. There are pros and cons to both of these options available to you. Natural repellents are generally less effective than Chemical ones in almost every conceivable category, however they’re more environmentally conscious and there are no possible health concerns from DEET as that’s present in Chemical Pesticides and not natural repellents. Chemical can be preferred for these reasons as they are much more effective, but they can cause health concerns from exposure if you’re not careful, and you do need a professional, like us, for chemical applications.

WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DO I HAVE?

If you’re on the fence about using repellent applications, chemical or natural, there are some other options you have available to you. Plants with strong scents like citronella grass, lavender, or marigolds can help keep Mosquitoes away. There are certain species of Mosquitoes that are attracted to dark colors and all are attracted to heat and CO2. Wearing lighter colors and covering all your skin in clothing can prevent bites. Some clothing can be pre-treated with Permethrin, an insecticide that kills more than just Mosquitoes with no side effects on you if used properly. And finally, like above try to make standing water on your property non-existent.