With summer in full swing it would be wise to take steps to reduce the breeding grounds of those pesky mosquitoes. They can take the fun out of a backyard BBQ real quick.

The best way to eliminate mosquitoes is by being proactive and to eliminate the breeding grounds on your property.

Ponds:
If you have a pond in your garden, either add a Mosquito Dunk briquette to the pond to stamp out breeding or add an adequately sized fountain feature to the pond to ensure the water is not left standing still. Or do both!
So... what is a Mosquito Dunk?

Bird Baths:  It is important to keep bird baths clean and the water fresh during the mosquito season. Changing the water frequently will not only help to keep the mosquitoes away but also keep the birds happy.

Gutters:  Keep the gutters free and clear of leaves, stems and other debris. In addition to helping reduce the breeding ground, it will help keep water from over flowing and staining your siding.

Standing Water:  Keep items that collect water (tires, buckets, etc.) stored in sheltered areas of your land. This will cut out the standing water areas that mosquitoes love. Mosquitoes flourish after summer rain showers. If your yard has large areas that hold standing water, treat the areas with Mosquito Dunks to stop them from hatching. You can even pretreat areas known to flood by staking down the briquette every 100 square feet.

Grass:  By keeping your grass cut short, you allow for better air-flow. Allowing the area to stay dry.

Mosquito Repelling Plants:  Plants such as sweet basil, sassafras or lemon thyme in your yard also can help reduce the population.

Carports:  Carports are roosting areas for mosquitoes. There are a couple of options to treat this area, including a bug zapper, Fly pods, or a double-strength mixture of DemonVP to spray the area.

These are just a few tips from your friends at Thompson Brothers Exterminating. We would love to help you keep the pests away.