Though it seems to be that mosquito season may never truly end for us, typically our North Carolina mosquito season is supposed to fall between April and October due to heavy breeding during the warm, humid weather. So, let’s chat about mosquitoes since the new season of biters is upon us and since you’ll be out spring cleaning your patio furniture and refreshing your landscaping, you can do a few things this year to help curb those mosquitoes.

What You Should Know About Mosquitoes In North Carolina

— While most will focus on mosquitoes outside the home, don’t forget they get inside too! Some of the tips and tricks we give you can be used indoor or out. And don’t forget, check your screens annually for rips or other damage that can allow bugs to enter your home.

— Mosquitoes are most active during dusk, night, and dawn. They rest or sleep during the day in thick weeds, rocks, holes, and logs or trees.

— Mosquitoes typically gather anywhere near both people and pets but can especially be found around standing water since that’s where they lay their eggs.

— While mosquito eggs take a few weeks to mature into adults, standing water should be drained every five days to prevent breeding altogether.

— Check for standing water in ditches, pool covers, puddles, bird baths, neglected pools, planters, pet water bowls, old tires, children’s outdoor toys, and anything else that collects rainwater, hose water, or other types of installed irrigation.

— The Orkin website says,:”In North Carolina, mosquitoes are most likely to pass on eastern equine encephalitis or West Nile virus to humans. The illnesses have similar symptoms, including fever, headache, and vomiting. While a species able to carry Zika virus lives in the state, no infected insects have been found locally.”

What You Can Do to Prevent Mosquitoes

There are many companies that list mosquito abatement and prevention as part of their services, so you can certainly call in the professionals. The Orkin website says, “When North Carolina mosquito season rolls around, the best method to get rid of the pests is by contacting Orkin. Our experts understand mosquito behavior and have the right tools to control them effectively.”

However, there are some other tricks you can try to help as well. So light up some citronella candles and check out some tips and tricks for stopping mosquitoes from overwhelming your home!

A Few Random Mosquito Reduction Ideas

Buy A Mosquito Trap

Most will use CO2 to attract mosquitoes into a box they cannot escape from. These can be an investment, so read reviews before choosing.

Make Friends with Bats

Or at least just ignore them. Bats are feared and hated, but they are absolutely essential to keeping the population of mosquitoes down. no matter where you’re from. If you have bats in your belfry, leave them alone. Unless you are having true issues with them getting inside your home, if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone and take those pesky bugs with them.

Think About What You’re Drinking & Wearing

Beer and alcohol attract bugs, as well as dark clothing, believe it or not. Any type of alcohol can increase body temperature, which is why researchers assume mosquitoes are attracted to you while you’re drinking. Darker colored clothes they can see and come to. They like sweet foods, high-sodium diets, and salty food eaters as well. And of course, floral scented perfumes. Interestingly, pregnancy and sweating also increase their activity around you.

Use Citronella Candles

Citronella is supposedly one of the most effective natural mosquito repellents in the world. You can purchase candles or make your own with citronella essential oil.

Natural Mosquito Repellents

Lavender is a natural repellent, so use lavender oil on something near windows indoors and your tables outdoors. Also, lavender based body oil made from essential oil spread on your exposed skin will help. You can also find a repellent online that’s not full of chemicals like Deet. Try starting with Four Thieves Mosquito Repellent Spray. Neem Oil can also be easily purchased online, applied to the skin, and voila! Mosquitoes seem to hate it.

Check out How To Use Essential Oils To Keep Mosquitoes Away at http://www.naturallivingideas.com/essential-oils-for-mosquitoes/ where they said, “Mosquitoes are thought to be attracted to us by certain substances in our sweat as well as the carbon dioxide released in our breath and through the skin. The olfactory sensors of the insect pick up these cues from far away and swarm to us for a free meal. Blocking the scent sensors of mosquitoes is one way to keep them away from us.” 

Eat Garlic and Use Rosemary on the BBQ

It can enhance your food (not harm it) and it’s said that rosemary burning on hot coals is a natural mosquito repellent. Garlic is said to naturally make you too stinky for mosquitoes to enjoy by releasing garlic oil from your pores.

Make Your Own Mosquito Repelling Incense

Try this if you’re going to be in a small space outdoors with no wind where you can burn incense around you. Perhaps you’re having a late meal, playing cards, or just enjoying the stars. Set out some burning incense to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Check out How To Make Mosquito Repelling Incense That Really Works at http://www.naturallivingideas.com/homemade-mosquito-repelling-incense/ where they say, “Unfortunately the majority of sprays, fogs, and other products designed to ward off the inevitable swarms of tiny flying bloodsuckers during their active breeding months (female mosquitoes only bite when they are preparing to lay eggs) are usually more dangerous than the insect bites they are designed to prevent. Save yourself from mosquitoes and toxic chemicals by making your own homemade mosquito-repelling incense using a handful of all-natural ingredients which tiny flying bloodsuckers loathe.”

Plant Mosquito Repellent Plants

And finally, this is where you come in with your landscaping this year that will help you every year from now on. There are quite a few plants that have mosquito repellent properties that you might enjoy in pots or in your flower beds, on your tables, around your pool deck, and more. Some plants that keep mosquitoes at bay in your garden are feverfew, basil, marigolds, citronella, catnip, pennyroyal, rosemary, geranium, peppermint, garlic, lemon balm, and lavender.