Dealing with Mosquitos Inside and Outside of Your Home
Anyone who’s been bitten by a mosquito before knows that it’s not a fun experience. There’s the red and unsightly bump, the maddening itch, and occasionally the incapacitating bouts of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and zika. But despite the dangers that they pose, mosquitoes remain ever-prevalent in our world today. According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), the first 10 weeks of 2024 saw over 2,600 reported cases of dengue in Singapore – more than double the amount in December 2023.
The surging population of mosquitoes begs an important question to be answered: how do we protect ourselves from the deadliest insect on earth? The answer involves a combination of exercising one’s due diligence in curbing their growth and remaining cautious both indoors and outdoors. To contextualise and provide clarity on what’s to be done, we at Star Bugs, a renowned pest control company, share tips in this article on how to deal with mosquitoes inside and outside of your home. From setting up traps, nets and plants to gearing up for the wilderness, continue reading for practical advice on preventing mosquitoes and their bites.
Mosquitoes Inside Your Home
Mosquitoes infiltrate homes in search of ideal conditions to live and breed. They are particularly drawn to environments that are dark and humid. Making matters worse, these pests possess nerve cells that enable them to detect the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans, which attracts them into our living spaces.
Remove Standing Water
Mosquitoes prefer laying their eggs in stagnant water. Since mosquito larvae require water to survive, bodies of water in ponds, flower pots, vases, toilets and even faulty pipes serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Remove standing water and prevent water accumulation to make your space less desirable to mosquitoes. As an additional precaution, keep containers dry as much as possible, as some mosquitoes have been found to lay their eggs in areas susceptible to periodic drying and reflooding. These species often gather their eggs and anticipate rainfall, which could result in the sudden emergence of a significant mosquito population. Aedes is one such genus of mosquitoes.
Improve Ventilation and Lighting Conditions
Mosquitoes aren’t strong fliers. That said, they like to find cover in places with less air movement, which is convenient for them because most of these areas are also humid, thereby increasing their egg production levels. Dark colours and areas are inviting to mosquitoes, providing hiding spots for them to rest. Ensure adequate light and airflow indoors and use a dehumidifier to minimise their presence.
Mosquito Nets and Traps
Sometimes closing all your doors and windows just isn’t feasible. Moreover, it doesn’t prevent mosquitoes from invading your home as you enter and exit. Installing mosquito nets here can help by obstructing entry through specific areas of your home. On the other hand, mosquito traps lure unsuspecting mosquitoes and catch them before they can cause further harm.
Grow Natural Mosquito Repellents at Home
Did you know? That certain plants contain properties known to repel mosquitoes. Citronella, lavender and marigold are widely regarded examples, said to possess essential oils that mosquitoes find unpleasant. Do note that, however, these compounds can only be released under specific conditions or extracted artificially.
Keep Spatial Repellents Around
Spatial repellents are chemical products devised to disrupt mosquito behaviours and reduce the likelihood of bites. These include electric vaporisers and chemical-based diffusers. Spatial repellents help to create a space that pests are hesitant to cross.
Mosquitoes Outside Your Home
Mosquitoes thrive in Singapore’s tropical climate where high levels of humidity are conducive to their proliferation. While we can easily eliminate collected water on our property, there are several environmental factors beyond our control that also contribute to their population. In such situations, taking precautions against mosquito bites is important to protecting our health.
Check the Time of Day
Only adult female mosquitoes feed on blood to produce eggs, and they are typically most active at dawn and dusk. This is because of the warmer temperature these periods present without excessive exposure to sunlight.
Use Mosquito Repellent
Mosquito repellents work by either confusing the mosquito’s signals for a human body’s scent or emitting an odour that is offensive to them. The NEA states that a few of the most effective mosquito repellents contain active ingredients like DEET, picaridin and IR3535.
Wear Loose-Fitting Protective Clothing
Wearing the right clothing can help prevent you from getting bitten. A few factors to keep in mind include the fit, material and colour. Generally, loose-fitting clothes that are slightly thicker and lighter in colour are better for warding off mosquitoes. For an extra layer of protection, treating clothing with insect repellent can make you less detectable to mosquitoes.
Use Fans or Seek Windy Areas
As mentioned previously, mosquitoes aren’t fond of wind as it interferes with their ability to fly. Utilising strong outdoor fans or seeking refuge in a breezy area can help you avoid getting bitten by hindering their flight patterns and dispersing the cues they need to locate potential hosts.
Avoid Perfumes
As much as insect repellents can deter mosquitoes, certain fragrances can paradoxically attract them. Specifically, wearing perfumes or colognes with floral or fruity notes can make you a target for mosquitoes. One reason for this could be that flower nectar serves as the main food source for these pests. Although these personal care items aim to mask body odour, which is enticing to mosquitoes, piling on fragrances can exacerbate the issue.
Keep Mosquitoes Away with Pest Prevention Services
Reducing the risk of indoor mosquito infestations and minimising exposure to mosquito bites outdoors are proactive measures to safeguard yourself and your family’s well-being. This article has provided strategies for both, ensuring individuals can enjoy peace of mind regardless of their location, particularly in regions like Singapore where mosquitoes are widespread.
Another effective method of mosquito prevention is to seek assistance from a professional pest control service. At Star Bugs, a 5-star-rated pest control company, we have successfully managed over 5,000 projects involving pests of all kinds – mosquitoes included. Our NEA-certified technicians develop customised treatment plans to dramatically reduce mosquito presence in your home, creating a more comfortable environment for its rightful inhabitants. Larvicide, an insecticide that intercepts the growth of larvae before they reach maturity, and fogging, a rapid-action technique deployed to disperse pesticide in miniscule droplets, are two methods we adopt, with remarkable demonstrated success.
Find out more by contacting us for expert mosquito control intervention today, and let us share with you further strategies to stay safe from the threat of mosquitoes. Together, our joint effort will keep mosquitoes at bay, so you are never a walking target for them again.