During the spring and summer in Illinois & Indiana, mosquitoes are one of the most difficult pests to catch a break from. On their own, mosquitoes are weak insects that only live for around a month or two. However, their ability to reproduce so quickly and at such numerous rates allows them to proliferate and pester countless people every year.
To keep mosquitoes from taking over your yard this summer, you have to be able to find potential breeding grounds on your property and eliminate them. Read on to learn the best ways to get rid of mosquito larvae and breeding grounds with Anderson Pest Solutions!
Where Do Mosquitoes Lay Their Eggs?
Mosquitoes have to find a source of stagnant water to lay their eggs. This water source can be anything from big ponds and pools to tiny puddles and water build-up in gutters. So long as the water stays calm for a week or to ten days, mosquito eggs can hatch and the larvae can thrive, growing into their adult stage.
Our mosquito specialists at Anderson Pest Solutions have found mosquito larvae and eggs in all of these places:
- Ponds and birdbaths
- Pools and spas
- Gutters and puddles
- Garden planters, playsets, buckets, tarps, and more
How to Safely Get Rid of Mosquito Larvae
If you find mosquito larvae or a raft of eggs on your property, there are a few different ways that you can get rid of them. If they are living in a water source that you can tip over or pour out, simply do so. Many times, however, there is no way to eliminate the budding mosquitoes without introducing something to the water. Here are a few natural liquids to use to snuff out mosquito larvae that you probably already have at home:
- Soap: Pouring a bit of dish soap or shampoo into an inhabited water source will kill any larvae after a day.
- Oil: Olive oil and vegetable oil will get rid of mosquito eggs and larvae almost immediately. However, you should not put any oils in a pond where fish live or a birdbath.
- Apple cider vinegar: This works best on larvae living in very small water sources—add enough apple cider vinegar so that it makes up about 15% of the total liquid. It should get rid of them in about 18 hours.
Do You Need Professional Mosquito Control?
Sometimes mosquitoes lay their eggs in hidden water sources that are hard to find. If you’re currently dealing with a mosquito infestation in your yard, talk to your local pest control experts. At Anderson Pest Solutions, we have set up barrier treatments for all sorts of homes across Illinois & Indiana and are well aware of the habits and hiding places of mosquitoes in our region. If you want to learn more about our services or need a free quote on mosquito control, contact us today!
