Mosquito Joe offers effective tips to keep mosquitoes at bay while enjoying the outdoors.
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If you love spending time outdoors but hate mosquitoes eating you alive, you’re not alone. These tiny pests can quickly ruin a perfect evening by causing itchy bites and spreading diseases like West Nile and Zika.
Fortunately, you don’t have to let mosquitoes control your outdoor plans. In this guide, we’ll share proven tips and effective strategies to keep mosquitoes away outside while you enjoy your patio, porch, or backyard.
9 Proven Methods to Keep Mosquitoes Away When Outdoors
Understanding what attracts mosquitoes — and, more importantly, what repels them — is key to protecting your outdoor space. Below are some of the most effective ways to minimize mosquitoes and enjoy your time outside without the bite.
Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water. To control their numbers, the first step is to remove these breeding areas. Common sources include bird baths, flower pots, clogged gutters, and places where water collects. This is true if the water stays for more than a few days.
Check your yard often for puddles or containers with water. Use brooms or buckets to remove the water. This simple action can dramatically reduce mosquito populations around your home.
Mosquito Joe Tip: We can perform pest inspections of your yard and outdoor space to find those pesky breeding grounds.
Use Mosquito Repellents
Applying mosquito repellents shields you by masking the scents that attract mosquitoes. Always follow product instructions for safe and effective use, especially when using repellents on children or pets.
Light Citronella Candles and Torches
Many insects avoid fire, and when combined with citronella’s distinctive scent, it creates a natural repellent. Lighting citronella candles or tiki torches in your outdoor seating areas gives off a scent that mosquitoes hate. This helps keep them away while you relax.
Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants
Certain plants produce strong scents that mosquitoes tend to avoid, making them ideal natural repellents around your outdoor spaces. Planting these near patios, windows, or seating areas creates aromatic barriers that help mask human odors which attract mosquitoes. Some of the most effective mosquito-repelling plants include:
- Lavender: Contains compounds that naturally deter mosquitoes, perfect near entrances or outdoor gatherings.
- Lemongrass: is the source of citronella oil. Its citrus smell confuses and repels mosquitoes. It grows well in pots or garden beds.
- Mint: Its refreshing scent masks human odors and deters mosquitoes; thrives in containers for flexibility.
- Rosemary: Offers mosquito-repelling properties, adding fragrance and function to your garden.
Install an Automatic Mosquito Misting System
For a more comprehensive approach, mosquito misting systems for yards can be installed around your property. These devices release mosquito repellent at scheduled intervals, effectively reducing mosquito populations with minimal effort on your part.
Mosquito Joe Tip: Our backyard systems are easy to install and can be scheduled for exactly when you notice the buzz.
Change Your Lighting
Mosquitoes are attracted to certain types of lighting, especially bright white bulbs. Using warm or yellow lights, or adding UV lights outside, can make your space less attractive to mosquitoes. This change won't reduce visibility.
Avoid the Outdoors During Peak Mosquito Hours
Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk when temperatures are cooler. To minimize bites and keep mosquitos away, try to enjoy your yard during mid-day hours when mosquitoes are less active. If you prefer evenings, use repellents and protective clothing to protect against bites.
No More Buzz! Schedule a Quote
Need Professional Backup for Your Backyard? Schedule Mosquito Control Services
For long-term mosquito protection, services like Mosquito Joe provide treatments that target mosquitoes at every life stage. Our services include The Neighborly Done Right Promise® and a Satisfaction Guarantee. This gives you peace of mind and helps reduce mosquitoes effectively. Regular visits provide ongoing protection, helping keep you safe from mosquito-borne diseases.
More to Know About Repelling Mosquitoes Outside:FAQ
Now that you’ve learned a few tips and techniques for keeping mosquitoes away outside, it’s natural to have a few more questions. Knowing how these annoying insects act and what keeps them away can help you enjoy your outdoor spaces more. Here, we answer some common questions. This will help keep your backyard mosquito-free and enjoyable all season.
What is the best way to keep mosquitoes away from my patio or porch?
Start by eliminating all standing water, such as emptying plant saucers and birdbaths and cleaning gutters regularly. Installing screens or mosquito net curtains around your patio or porch creates a barrier mosquitoes can’t cross. Use natural repellents like citronella candles or essential oil diffusers with scents such as lemon eucalyptus, lavender, or catmint. Placing mosquito-repellent plants like marigolds, lemongrass, or lavender around your outdoor area adds extra protection.
How can I keep mosquitoes away at night when I’m outside?
Make your outdoor space less inviting to mosquitoes. You can do this by lighting citronella candles or torches. You can also use essential oil diffusers to keep mosquitoes away.
Wear long sleeves, pants, and light-colored clothing to reduce exposed skin, and apply insect repellent. Keep outdoor lights dim or switch to mosquito-friendly lighting like yellow or UV bulbs, as bright lights attract mosquitoes after dark.
What are the best natural solutions to keep mosquitoes away?
Plant mosquito-repellent plants such as lavender, citronella, marigold, and lemongrass around your garden and seating areas. Use essential oils like lemon eucalyptus, lavender, thyme, or citronella in diffusers or homemade sprays to create natural barriers. Placing sliced lemons studded with cloves around your outdoor space can also deter mosquitoes. Using outdoor fans and keeping your yard clean helps reduce places where mosquitoes can hide and breed.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
