Picture this. You are lounging on your deck or patio on a nice and warm day. You have a steaming cup of coffee or refreshing drink while you enjoy the scenic views around you. However, as you take a sip of your drink, you feel a slight prick and then hear the familiar hum and buzz over your head. It seems that you are not the only one enjoying your outdoor space. You have unwanted visitors with you – mosquitoes.
At Caloundra Landscaping, we understand that outdoor living spaces are one of the greatest investments of homeowners. That is why our team wants to provide solutions that can help our customers make the most of their decks and patios. Mosquitoes seem to be a common problem for many property owners. These persistent biters are not just a nuisance in outdoor areas but also carriers of various diseases such as Dengue, Malaria, Zika and more. So, it is essential to keep them away in your home and outdoor living areas. Check out the helpful tips we recommend and determine which among them works best for you.
Get rid of standing water or open water sources.
Any standing or open water source in your outdoor area can easily become a nesting ground for mosquito larvae. If you have old tires, empty pots, vases or basins near your deck or patio, you have to check if there is water in them. If you leave the water for a few days, mosquitoes might lay their eggs in them, so don’t forget to get rid of standing water in your outdoor space. If you have a pool, it is best to find a tight pool cover to avoid attracting mosquitoes.
Keep your yard trimmed.
Mosquitoes prefer shady areas. So if you have overgrown bushes, plants, grass and trees in your yard, there is a great chance that mosquitoes will treat them as their hiding place during the summer days. We recommend keeping the hedges, bushes, turf and other greenery in your place well-trimmed. Through this, you can ensure that there will be lesser spots where mosquitoes can stay and hide.
Use Citronella candles or an oil diffuser.
If you plan to have a simple retreat on your deck or a romantic dinner on your patio, a swarm of mosquitoes can definitely break the peaceful mood you wish to achieve. For those scouring for a simple and budget-friendly solution, you can try lighting up some Citronella candles. Since these candles are made from a plant that can naturally deter mosquitoes and are safe for pets and people, they are one of the go-to solutions you can try. They can burn for up to a maximum of 40 hours and can create a pest-free space of up to 20 feet in diameter. Besides that, you can also place them in stylish candle holders so they can match the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space.
You can use an oil diffuser instead if you are not comfortable having candles in your wood deck. You can find a bunch of essential oils that have pleasant scents and can also keep the mosquitoes away. Since the diffuser can disperse the essential oil in the air, you can create a space that deters mosquitoes but is relaxing and pleasant for people staying on your deck or patio. Some of the anti-mosquito essential oil concoctions we can recommend are Citronella, Peppermint, Lemon Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Cedarwood, Geraniol and Clove.
