Best Mosquito Control Tips

spraying mosquito control repellent on leg

The Best Mosquito Control Tips for Charlotte

Summertime is meant to be spent outside, especially for homeowners living in the Charlotte or Raleigh areas. But when warm weather returns, so do the infamous biting insects: mosquitoes. To enjoy your outdoor space in Charlotte without annoying mosquito bites, you’ll need some help. While there are plenty of popular mosquito repellent products out there, they may not be the end-all solution. The lawn care pros at Faiway Green have compiled some of the best mosquito control tips to keep on hand this summer. And when DIY doesn’t cut it, you know who to call!  

Mosquito Season in the Carolinas

Living in the Southeast, especially in the humid Charlotte area, means dealing with pesky mosquitoes during the summer. These flying insects not only leave itchy bites but are also considered dangerous due to the diseases they can carry like Zika or West Nile Virus. The CDC warns that mosquito control should be a focus for anyone during the peak of summer. Mosquito season typically kicks off in spring and peaks during the hot summer months. For our areas near Charlotte, mosquito populations can stick around as late as October if the weather allows.  

Summer Mosquito Control Tips for Homeowners

There are a few things you can do around your house and lawn to limit mosquito populations from making themselves at home. The key to the best mosquito control starts with knowing what attracts mosquitoes in the first place.  

Remove Standing Water

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so get rid of any areas of standing water around your outdoor space, such as birdbaths, grill covers, tarps, kid’s toys, old tires, or potting containers. You may also have areas of bad drainage around your walkways or garden beds that may need to be addressed. If there’s a puddle available, female mosquitoes will lay eggs there.  

Clean the Gutters

Regularly clean your gutters to prevent water and debris from building up. Not only is this a good chore to keep in rotation, but it will prevent your gutters from becoming a mosquito breeding site.  

Scheduling Your Time Outside

Try to schedule outdoor activities during times when mosquito activity is lower. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact peak for mosquito activity, but we do know they love humidity. Local weather is a big factor in mosquito activity so plan accordingly with upcoming rain and high humidity points of the day. 

Protective Clothing

You can’t avoid the outdoors all summer, so make sure to wear clothing that will lower your risk of mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves, pants, and hats to reduce exposed skin when you can.  

Lawn Maintenance for Mosquito Control

Lawn care is an important factor in good mosquito control. Tall grass is a welcome place for flying insects like mosquitoes to land for rest. Keep your lawn mowed regularly at the right height to limit overgrown, shady areas for mosquitoes to use.  

Mosquito Repellent Products

It’s hard to achieve a completely mosquito-free outdoor space, but using mosquito repellents can help. If you seem to be a mosquito magnet, try some of these insect repellents: 

  • Bug Zappers: These are used to attract and kill mosquitoes and other flying insects like gnats using ultraviolet light. They may not be the most effective mosquito repellent solution, but using them near your sitting areas or patios can minimize them in your space.  
  • Mosquito Dunks: These tablets contain bacteria that target mosquito larvae, preventing them from growing into adults. Mosquito dunks dissolve in water and are beneficial for areas with bad drainage or puddles of standing water that can’t be dumped out.  
  • Mosquito Traps: These use attractants to lure mosquitoes in to trap them, potentially reducing the mosquito population.  
  • Mosquito Repellent Bug Sprays and Lotions: The best mosquito repellent is a big topic of debate but it’s recommended to use bug repellent sprays that contain DEET for the best results. When compared to things like citronella candles, DEET and oil of lemon eucalyptus were said to reduce mosquitoes up to 60%. 

Professional Mosquito Control and Pest Control

For the best mosquito control, you should probably call in the pros. Mosquito misting treatments can help reduce mosquitoes and larvae around your home or throughout your lawn. Companies like Fairway Green offer mosquito spraying and lawn pest control services in Raleigh and Charlotte. We can provide insecticide treatments around the perimeter of your home to effectively reduce the mosquito population. Our misting spray is applied in areas that may be potential breeding habitats like dense foliage, along tree lines, or under porches. We also offer grub control insecticides that can be applied to the lawn to prevent damage from these pesky root feeders.  

The Best Mosquito Control and Lawn Care Services in Charlotte

Homeowners who are looking to enjoy the summer and skip DIY mosquito control can rely on Fairway Green. Our services go beyond pest control. We specialize in lawn care including weed control and fertilization, growth regulators for lawns, lawn aeration, tree and shrub care, and more. Since 1989, we’ve been a top choice for lawn care in North and South Carolina. Contact us today to get a quote!