For homeowners in Louisiana, fighting mosquitoes is an everyday task. And with the serious diseases mosquitoes transmit, protecting our homes is a matter of safety. But fear not these pesky vampires! In this article, we’ll tell you how to get rid of mosquitoes in Louisiana by eliminating standing water sources and preventing the dreaded mosquito bite.
Controlling Mosquitoes in Louisiana
Fighting mosquitoes requires a combination of methods to be effective. The good news is that they’re all within our reach, in our own backyards (quite literally). In this section, we’ll discuss the actions you can take to control mosquitoes in your yard:
- Eliminate standing water sources
- Install window and door screens
- Keep your yard clean
- Fight adult mosquitoes
Eliminate Standing Water Sources
The first step in mosquito prevention is to limit their breeding grounds. Female mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water sources, which are easily formed in our yards after rain events. During a single week in 2023, for example, the East Baton Rouge Parish Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control received an impressive 120 calls a day.
But what can you do to reduce the mosquito population in your area? Getting rid of standing water in your yard is the best way to start:
- Turn over or shelter anything that can collect water: items such as outside furniture, wheelbarrows, buckets, and children’s toys.
- Keep trash bins closed with the lid on.
- Drill small holes at the base of outdoor recycling containers.
- Unclog your roof gutters.
- Stock ornamental ponds with mosquitofish, which will feed on mosquito larvae. Alternatively, you can also treat the water with larvicides, if there aren’t other fishes or plants in the pond. But if there are, these mosquito dunks are a practical option. Their active ingredient is Bti, a bacteria that is nontoxic to other fishes, plants, and birds.
- Chlorinate out-of-use swimming pools and check the pool covers — yes, mosquitoes can breed even in the small puddles of rainwater pool covers might collect.
- Clean birdbaths and pet bowls weekly.
- Fill plant saucers with sand.
Install Window and Door Screens
Even if your yard has no mosquito breeding grounds, mosquitoes from neighboring areas may still invade your home. A great way to keep mosquitoes from invading your home is to install screens on windows and doors. Regularly check if they are tight-fitting and have no holes. When indoors, you can also use air conditioning and fans to ward off the skeeters.
Keep Your Yard Clean
A well-maintained yard is a great preventive measure when it comes to pest control in general. This rule also applies to mosquitoes, since they benefit from the hiding places excess debris provides. So remember to:
- Dispose of clutter, such as tin cans, old tires, and ceramic pots as they might accumulate water.
- Mow the lawn regularly, since mosquitoes can hide in tall grass.
- Trim bushes and shrubs, where mosquitoes also love to hide from the hot sun.
- Get rid of accumulated fallen leaves and branches.
Fight Adult Mosquitoes
If all else fails, you might have to resort to mosquito extermination.
- Mosquito sprays and foggers: A handy solution for homeowners is to use mosquito spray to kill adult mosquitoes around your property. Aim for places mosquitoes like to hide: under furniture or under bushes and trees. If the mosquito infestation is severe and you want a short-term solution, mosquito foggers might be the best option.
- Mosquito traps: Eco-friendly and practical, mosquito traps do all the work for you, as they attract and kill mosquitoes without you having to lift a finger. Between store-bought and DIY mosquito traps, the options are plenty.
- Outdoor repellents: There are a number of ways to repel mosquitoes outside, from citronella candles and mosquito incense to technological mosquito-repellent devices.
Prevent Mosquito Bites
Since we can only go so far in controlling our environment, another crucial point is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Avoiding the hours of peak mosquito activity, staying away from floral scents, wearing protective clothing, and applying mosquito repellents are all measures you can take to prevent mosquito bites:
- Avoid dusk and dawn: If possible, limit outside activities during dusk and dawn, since this is when mosquitoes are most active.
- Stay away from floral scents: Mosquitoes love floral-scented lotions and perfumes. So if you don’t want to attract mosquitoes, avoid wearing floral scents.
- Wear protective clothing: Light-colored clothing with long sleeves is the best option to avoid mosquito bites. But depending on the clothing material, mosquitoes can still bite through them. You can treat your clothes with permethrin spray for extra protection. If you don’t have time for the DIY route, purchase insect-repellent clothing.
- Apply mosquito repellent: Choose an EPA-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), oil of citronella, or picaridin. Apply on exposed skin and never under your clothes. Be careful not to apply DEET on your clothes, since it can damage synthetic fibers. Carefully follow the instructions on the product label.
Insect repellents are not recommended for children younger than 2 months of age. For older children, repellents should not contain more than 30 percent DEET and should always be applied by an adult.
An important note: Did you know that mosquitoes spread diseases not only to humans but also to our pets as well? Louisiana has the highest number of heartworm disease cases in the entire country. Luckily, you can protect your furry friend by using a dog-safe mosquito repellent.
FAQ
Louisiana’s mosquito season starts in March and lasts until September. In the southernmost part of the state, mosquito season begins in February and lasts until November — almost all year round.
If you get bitten in Louisiana, you can be infected with West Nile virus, as this mosquito-borne disease is native to the state. Louisiana also has three types of encephalitis:
• Saint Louis encephalitis
• Eastern Equine encephalitis
• California encephalitis
There have also been cases of dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus, but all are associated with travel to high-risk areas.
Out of the 68 mosquito species in Louisiana, some of the most common mosquitoes are:
• Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)
• Southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus)
• Malaria mosquito (Anopheles quadrimaculatus)
• Inland floodwater mosquito (Aedes vexans)
• Yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti)
Another Solution to Your Mosquito Problem
Another resource to solve your mosquito problem is to count on a trusted pest control company. Pest Gnome connects you to the best mosquito control services in Louisiana. Get in touch for a mosquito-free home today!
Main Image Credit: Kruck20 / Canva Pro / License
