If you have lived here in Dallas long enough, you have probably searched the internet for solutions to keep mosquitoes away. These pests are a bane in our area and often seem like an unstoppable nuisance. But, thankfully, these pests aren’t unstoppable! There are many strategies that help keep mosquitoes off properties, one of which involves the use of certain plants. To help you decide if this abatement method is right for your Dallas property, here are some things to consider.
What Smells Do Mosquitoes Hate?
Mosquitoes often use scent to identify and track down their prey. When their prey smells like something they do not like, they are less likely to come closer and attempt to draw blood. Some scents you can apply to your skin to potentially reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes are cloves, cedarwood, lavender, and eucalyptus. One reason many people avoid scent-based detractors is that they cost an arm and a leg and take a large quantity to be effective. That said, we recommend sticking to mosquito repellant whether chemical-based or organic.
Do Plants Deter Mosquitoes?
This is a hard question to answer. The short answer is that some plants do deter mosquitoes, but maybe not in the way you think they do. Let’s take eucalyptus for example. If you filled your garden with this plant and this plant alone, it would have no effect on the number of mosquitoes present on your property or your likelihood of being bitten. This is because, by itself, eucalyptus doesn’t have a strong enough scent to deter mosquitoes. You would have to process it into its natural oils in order to deter mosquitoes with it. If herbalism and producing your own mosquito repellants is something that interests you, here are some plants to consider planting around your garden.
- Lavender
- Citronella
- Catnip
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Marigolds
If you don’t want to go through all this effort, do not worry, there are other ways to prevent pesky mosquitoes.
Other Strategies To Prevent Mosquitoes
Smell deterrents are by no means the best solution to mosquitoes. Something we recommend all homeowners do is eliminate sources of water build-up around their property. These sources usually pop up after rainstorms. In addition to this, change out the water inside ornate pools and birdbaths once every four days. This will kill off any mosquito eggs before they are able to hatch. For larger bodies of water like ponds and lakes, stock them with mosquitofish.
Mosquitoes Hate Wind
One thing most people don’t know about mosquitoes is that they are poor flyers and have trouble landing when there is even a steady gentle breeze. Use this tip to your advantage by installing fans around your covered outdoor lounging areas. This will give you a semi-safe place from mosquitoes while you are spending time outdoors.
How To Make Your Whole Yard A Safe Space From Mosquitoes
If you are like us, you like spending time outdoors or at least having the option to enjoy your property without being attacked by mosquitoes. The best way to make this happen is to turn to an expert. At White Knight Pest Control, we offer detailed services to eliminate and control mosquitoes around Dallas properties. Whether you are looking for a year-round solution to your mosquito problems or a solution to keep these pests away from an outdoor gathering, we have your options here. We also have a team of dedicated professionals available to answer your pest-related questions.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our comprehensive pest control or to schedule your Dallas property for mosquito treatments.