Keeping your Vancouver properties mosquito free
Spring in Vancouver has been witnessing record setting cold rainy days.
Along with forcing the coats and the mittens out of the wardrobe, it is also bringing mosquitos into homes in impossibly huge numbers. And some of them are newer species which were previously unseen.
One of the reasons for this sudden surge in mosquito numbers is attributed to the ample breeding grounds that Vancouver provides for it. Large pools of water caused due to rains in addition to the existing supply of water for agriculture, has the mosquito population thriving.
Vancouver doesn’t have a mosquito control program either.
Mosquitos are potentially dangerous and can harbor fatal disease like Dengue Fever, Encephalitis and Elephantiasis and despite using the best of repellants, sometimes they can still inflict the bite out of nowhere.
However, you can keep your property and your family safe from mosquitos with some simple tricks. Here are a few of them.
Assess the problem
Is there stagnant water or yard waste in your home which is a breeding ground for mosquitos? Contrary to what some people think, mosquitos don’t need a lot of water to lay eggs and start breeding. Even a small puddle can be a breeding ground. So, the first step would be to check your property and the surroundings for existing pools of stagnant water. Eavestroughs are a common area that remain hidden from the sight and provides an excellent place for mosquitos to breed. If your eavestrough is clogged, then water may have pooled in it. If you are unable to find it, then it is recommended that you contact Pest control company Vancouver.
Blocking Entry
Once you have found and eliminated any existing breeding grounds, the next step is to prevent entry to your home. Are any of your window screens broken? Mosquitos can enter through even the tiniest of crevice. Window screens should also be inspected if they are detached from the frame.
As a rule of thumb, it is recommended that you keep them shut during dusk and dawn which is when mosquitos tend to be most active. But now with species like the Rock Pool Mosquito or Ochlerotatus Japonicus being seen in Vancouver, it is becoming all the more difficult to implement this habit because this species is active even during the day.
Repellents
You can use some plant friendly repellants made of essential oils that can deter mosquitos from biting you.
Some of the natural repellants that are proven to be effective against mosquitos are:
- Cinnamon Oil
- Cedar Oil
- Neem Oil
- Peppermint Oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Basil Oil
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Geranium
- Clove Oil
