Here’s How To Ensure Your Fort Lauderdale Lawn is Mosquito-Free
- Esther Murimi
- Jan-11-2021
- Lawn Care
A recent study found Fort Lauderdale to be among the top mosquito-infested cities in the United States. Speaking of mosquitoes, did you know there are over 200 species present in the United States? Or that 80 0f these species can be found in Florida? The warm and humid weather in Florida makes it an insect paradise. This means trouble for many homeowners who think of their lawns as safe and private hangout spaces.
For starters, your lawn provides you with a place to experience nature firsthand. Moreover, you have a say on how it should look and feel. You could hire a landscaper to bring out the best in your yard and lawn. But all these possibilities mean nothing if your lawn becomes a mosquito haven. It turns into a place where these bugs are in control, at the expense of the real owners. But how can homeowners remedy this situation on their lawns? Here are some simple but effective lawn care tips for mosquito control:
Don’t give the mosquitos a breeding ground
Female mosquitos need to feed on a host’s blood in order to nourish its eggs. In contrast, their male counterparts get nourishment from nectar alone. Female mosquitos then lay their eggs in standing water. It is here that the eggs will develop into larvae. In other words, any stagnant water in your Florida yard is a huge problem. So how do you protect yourself?
Most mosquitoes can fly no more than one to three miles, and some mosquitoes such as the Asian tiger mosquito have a flight range of just 100 yards or so. So they’re always looking for a place to land or a place to lay eggs, and water is an attractive option.
Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed by emptying the saucers for plants, hauling off old tires, cleaning rain gutters and frequently changing the water in birdbaths. Don’t leave pet bowls filled with water outside when your pets are indoors. Look out for water that gathers in pool covers, buckets and trash cans. Even discarded Frisbees, toys and lids can collect water after it rains and attract mosquitoes.
Walk around your property with an eye for puddles. Fix the problem, and mosquitoes won’t have a place to lay eggs.
Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito fish that eat the larva or treat the water with larvicide mosquito rings sold at home and garden stores. Read more from TreeHugger…
Prune trees and mow your grass
Who would have thought that mosquitos don’t like the midday heat? Maybe that is why they conduct all their covert operations under the cover of darkness. But you should be aware that as they wait for the night, they are hiding somewhere. Read more below:
Mosquitoes like shade to escape the midday heat.
Hedges, bushes and tall grass provide shade that shelters mosquitoes. They need a place to get out of the heat and sun during the day, so the fewer shaded areas they find, the less they’ll congregate in your yard.
Keep the hedges and bushes trimmed, and mow the yard at least once a week. Mow or till weedy spots to minimize shade and to keep these marginal areas from becoming overgrown jungles. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. Otherwise, you’ll just drive the mosquitoes next door — and they’ll come back often to visit. Read more from Family Handy Man…
Plant mosquito repellant trees
The interesting bit about plants that repel mosquitoes is the scent they produce. It is a sense of natural freshness. To make the deal even sweeter, they act as decoratives for your lawn and you can also crush their leaves or burn their extract to keep these insects away.
The potent fragrances and essential oils in some plants, such as lavender, and marigolds, naturally repel mosquitoes. If you enjoy spending time outdoors on your deck or patio, pot up a few of these plants and set them around the perimeter to naturally help keep mosquitoes at bay—and add a little beauty to the setting. Other mosquito-repelling plants include:
- Citronella (and other scented geraniums)
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
- Catnip
- Bee balm
- Ageratum
- Peppermint
- Basil
- Sage Read more from Ortho…
Proper lawn care isn’t just about your lawn looking beautiful. It is also about your health as a homeowner. If the lawn is beautiful but the homeowners are at risk, then something is amiss. It is therefore prudent to take care of your lawn in a way that also guarantees your joy and peace are not compromised.
If you are encountering lots of mosquitos in your yard, call the best lawn care company in Florida – EPS Landscaping, to help you recreate it. This will be in a way that enables it to be a little heaven on earth. Call us today!