Every year is the same: As soon as spring arrives, the mosquitoes start to bug you. Saving money during mosquito season can be critical, especially if you live in an area where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent, and running from mosquitoes is a year-round worry. Here are tips to help you save money while still protecting yourself and your home from mosquitoes:
Professional Mosquito Control: How to Save Money
Although it might seem odd, opting for professional mosquito control might be the best option money-wise. Regular mosquito treatments can save money in the long run, as preventing infestations is more cost-effective than dealing with a full-blown mosquito problem.
Here are some ways to save on professional mosquito control costs and ensure the best value for your money:
- First-time customer coupon: Many mosquito control companies offer a special discount for first-time customers.
- Packages and progressive discounts: Some companies offer packages for the entire mosquito season, which can include progressive discounts. Choosing a package with more treatments often means a higher discount. This way, you can customize your mosquito control plan and save more.
- Payment methods: Mosquito control companies also offer discounts based on your chosen payment method. Typically, opting for a one-time payment (paying for the season in advance) will make the overall cost of services cheaper compared to choosing a recurring payment method (paying as you go).
- Bundle deals: Some companies offer package deals that combine mosquito control with other pest control services to help customers save money. Many mosquito control companies also offer tick, fly, or flea control services, so check with your local company for their bundle options.
In addition, some companies have “sister” companies for general pest control and offer a discount if you opt for both mosquito and pest control.
Pro tip: Some companies offer free re-treatments between visits if the mosquito problem persists, which is like a kind of insurance on your investment. There is also the possibility of skipping a treatment (which can help save you money), but it usually comes at the cost of free re-treatments.
Factors That Affect Mosquito Control Costs
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Professional mosquito control costs vary depending on a series of factors, but the main variants are the property size, the treatment method, the infestation size, and treatment frequency.
- Property size: The total area of your property determines how much product and time professionals will spend to solve your problem. A larger area increases the overall cost of the service.
- Treatment method: Curative treatments, which address existing infestations are often more expensive than preventative mosquito control treatments. The treatment tools professionals use also impact the overall cost — adulticide sprays and fogging are generally more expensive than barrier sprays and microencapsulated treatments.
- Infestation size: The more severe your infestation, the more effort and product will be needed, therefore increasing the end bill.
- Treatment frequency: Treatment frequency depends on whether you choose conventional or natural mosquito treatments. While natural treatments are more environmentally friendly, they often need to be done every two weeks. Conventional treatments can usually be done every three weeks, lowering the cost for homeowners.
Having doubts about which mosquito company would suit your needs? See our review of the best mosquito control companies.
DIY Solutions
You can also prepare for mosquito season (and save money) by using things you might already have in your home.
- Homemade mosquito traps: You can make effective DIY mosquito traps to kill mosquitoes by using simple household items, like a bottle, sugar, and yeast. Bottle traps, fan traps, and ovitraps are not just friendly for the environment, but also for your wallet.
- DIY mosquito repellents: You can also make your own homemade mosquito repellent for application on the skin by using oils like citronella or lavender. You can either mix them with a carrier oil for applying on the skin or dilute them in water for spraying indoors.
Other Cost-Effective Methods to Keep Mosquitoes Away
On top of professional mosquito control and DIY solutions, here are some other cost-effective methods to keep mosquitoes away from your home and yard:
- Close all windows and doors: Mosquitoes can invade your home even through the garage door. So keep all windows and doors closed and use air-conditioning when indoors. Repair any damaged screens on your screened-in porch or windows to enjoy the pleasant breezes bite-free.
- Turn on fans: The air current produced by fans can keep mosquitoes away since these little pests are not the strongest fliers. Using fans in outdoor seating areas or inside your home can help keep mosquitoes at bay.
- Limit outdoor lighting: Mosquitoes are attracted to light. You can reduce their presence in your outdoor area by using minimal lighting or opting for yellow or LED lights that are less attractive to mosquitoes.
- Install mosquito nets: Instead of investing in expensive mosquito-proof windows or doors, consider using mosquito nets to protect your bed at night. You can buy mosquito nets online and install them yourself.
- Outdoor mosquito repellents: There are an abundance of outdoor mosquito repellents on the market (including pricier electronic mosquito repellent devices), but some on the cheaper side are also effective. Such is also the case for mosquito incense, mosquito coils, and citronella candles, which are effective against mosquitoes while also budget-friendly.
- Treat bodies of water with larvicides: If you have ornamental ponds or fountains in your yard, know that mosquitoes will use those as breeding sites. Treat the water with larvicides, such as mosquito dunks, to kill mosquito larvae. A package with 20 mosquito dunks costs around $26.
- Buy in bulk: Whether you opt for chemical or natural mosquito repellents, buy them in bulk or during sales to save money and have a supply that will last the entire mosquito season.
- Natural predators: Encourage natural mosquito predators like bats and birds in your area by installing bat houses or bird feeders. These animals will help control the mosquito population naturally.
And here’s a pro tip: Mosquitofish are larvae-eating fish species widely used as an eco-friendly alternative for mosquito control in ornamental ponds or other artificial water sources that can’t be drained. Many vector control programs distribute mosquitofish to their residents free of charge, so check with your city to see if this is an option in your area.
Mosquito Prevention
The methods discussed so far are all about how to deal with adult mosquitoes. But how do you prevent them from appearing in the first place? The answer lies in interrupting their life cycle. Luckily, addressing the root of the mosquito problem is simple and free — eliminate standing water in your yard, where mosquitoes lay eggs, to stop the breeding cycle.
But how do you get rid of these mosquito breeding grounds? Here are simple steps to get rid of stagnant water and save yourself from spending unnecessary funds on mosquito sprays and foggers:
- Empty containers like flower pot saucers, buckets, and wheelbarrows.
- Clean and change the water in birdbaths and pet bowls.
- Get rid of old tires that can accumulate water.
- Unclog gutters so the water can run down easily, or prevent gutters from clogging in the first place.
- Keep your yard well maintained to avoid tall grass and overgrown shrubs and bushes, where mosquitoes like to rest.
FAQ
To prevent itchy mosquito bites, protect yourself with these simple tips:
• Apply mosquito repellent with DEET or other EPA-approved substances, such as citronella oil, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), and picaridin.
• Limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito activity hours, which are usually during dusk and dawn for most mosquito species.
• Wear protective clothing, namely loose-fitting long sleeves and long pants. Insect-repellent clothing may offer added protection.
Mosquito season typically starts in spring and reaches its peak during summer; however, the duration of mosquito season varies by region.
Mosquito prevention is a public health concern. Mosquitoes transmit a series of dangerous diseases, such as the West Nile virus, yellow fever, malaria, and Zika virus (just to name a few). Because of the many illnesses they carry and the number of people that fall victim to them, mosquitoes are considered the world’s deadliest animal.
Sometimes the Best Defense is the Attack
Remember that while it’s important to save money, it’s equally crucial to protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne diseases. If you’re having trouble with mosquitoes, Pest Gnome connects you to the best mosquito control services in your area. Get in touch with a trusted pest control expert today!
Main Image Credit: Piman Khrutmuang’s Images / Canva Pro / License
