Whine, whine: Are you hearing the buzz about mosquitoes? These little creatures are unwelcome guests in the garden. What can you do to reduce the scratchiness of your spring and summer? Whether you prefer to avoid pesticides and bug spray or you just want to target the problem at its source, here are some sneaky sources of standing water around your home. Target them to get rid of the mosquitoes in your garden.

Ponds and Pools

Ponds and pools are two of the most common sources of mosquito breeding, because they’re simply large sources of water in the garden. To stop mosquitoes from breeding in these wet areas, cover and chlorinate pools when they’re not in use. Add mosquito-loving fish to your ponds and make sure that the water is moving. If you have a child’s wading pool, make sure that you empty or cover it after use. During the off season, place a child’s pool on end in a covered area to prevent it from gathering rainfall.

Messy Piles of Recycling or Garden Debris

Back or front yard mess can equal ideal breeding zones for mosquitoes. Whether they’re old tires or garden pots, debris forms tiny puddles. Get rid of containers or stack and cover them. Old tree stumps, logs, or trees with holes in them can also be a source of small puddles. Chop these up, turn them over, or make them into smaller pieces of mulch for the garden. Do a late winter garden cleanup to remove any sources of standing water before the spring mosquito season begins.

Children’s Toys

In addition to wading pools, your child’s toys can be a source of standing water. That lovely little dump truck in the sandbox can collect water, while the sandbox itself can turn into a swamp in the rain. Keep children’s toys indoors, in a box, or in a covered sandbox to ensure that they don’t become mosquito breeding zones.

Gutters and Blocked Drains

Did you forget to clean your gutters after a winter of snow and ice and a fall of abundant leaves? Are those pretty pink petals clogging your drains? If you’re wondering how to get rid of mosquitoes, check those gutters for standing water and add a gutter cover to eliminate this source of water. Look at blocked garden drains as well – from the areas around your drainpipes to the French drains in your yard, an excess of leaves or spring blossoms can cause water to pool in your garden.

Homes, Food, and Water for Pets and Wildlife

You love your pets, but did you know that their beds, houses, and water dishes can become a source of irritation for pets and humans alike? Change water dishes daily and make sure pet beds are covered or situated under an awning. Change the water in your bird bath weekly and use mosquito control measures such as mosquito granules. Even hummingbird feeders can become a source of water for motivated mosquitoes to breed in. Choose varieties that make it easy for the nectar to get out and hard for mosquitoes to get in.

Poorly-Drained Soil

Garden drainage problems can turn into mosquito problems if they’re left unchecked. Those permanent puddles in your lawn or the garden bed that’s always a little muddy can become places where mosquitoes thrive. Add sand or new drainage channels to encourage the water that’s on top of the soil to move into it instead.

When you’re looking for garden solutions, Harry Helmet is here to help. Whether you need to know how to get rid of mosquitoes or how to ensure that ice doesn’t damage your roofing, we have the gutter, awning, and roofing expertise you need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Written by Del Thebaud