• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SI Parent

Solutions For Parenting In Staten Island

Get Weekly Activities
Emailed To You
Subscribe
  • Connect With SI Parent:
  • Things To Do
  • Directories
    • After School
    • Birthday Parties
    • Summer Camps
    • Pre-School & Daycare
    • Health and Wellness
    • Special Needs
    • Home Improvement
  • Articles
    • Featured Articles
    • Positive Parenting
    • Stuff To Do
    • Coronavirus
    • Babies and Pregnancy
    • Special Needs Articles
    • Recipes and Food
    • Health and Safety
    • School, Camp and Education
    • Richmond University Medical Center
  • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Birthday Club
  • Advertise With Us
  • SI Parent Guides
Home / Articles / Family Fun / How to Banish Mosquitoes from Your Yard

How to Banish Mosquitoes from Your Yard

October 28, 2019 By Michelle Yannaco

How to Banish Mosquitoes from Your Yard

Time spent in the backyard on spring and summer afternoons and evenings contributes heavily to the popularity of these times of year. Many homeowners go to great lengths to make their outdoor living spaces as luxurious as possible, only to be bothered by uninvited and bothersome guests: mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are not just pesky nuisances, but they’re also harmful. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, more than one million people across the globe die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Such diseases include malaria, dengue, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and the Zika virus. Mosquitoes are even to blame for heartworm in dogs.

The AMCA notes that many of the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes can be linked to travel to endemic areas. But mosquitoes in North America can still be harmful, and bites may result in severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to mosquito saliva.

Homeowners can employ several measures to prevent mosquitoes from invading their backyards this spring and summer.

  • Remove standing water. Stagnant water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, so homeowners must be diligent in their efforts to remove standing water around their properties. Mosquitoes can breed in bird baths, pets’ water bowls and empty plant pots that collect rain water; they can lay hundreds of eggs even in a spoonful of water!
  • Inspect property for hidden pockets of water. While bird baths, pet bowls and kiddie pools are easy to find, homeowners may be unknowingly hosting mosquito breeding grounds elsewhere on their properties. For example, tarps used to cover pools, automobiles or grills that are not tightly secured can fold up, creating pockets where rain water can collect and give mosquitoes somewhere to breed. Mosquitoes also may use gutters to breed, so homeowners should routinely inspect and clean their gutters during spring and summer.
  • Keep a well-manicured lawn. Well-manicured lawns are less likely to be breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Because water plays such a crucial role in the mosquito breeding process, it’s necessary that all potential water sources in a yard be removed. Fallen leaves that are not removed and pockets of soil beneath trees and plants can collect rain water or water from lawn sprinklers, which can be just enough for mosquitoes to breed.
  • Grow mosquito-repelling plants outdoors. Keep yourself, your family and pets safe naturally by planting specific plants and flowers that repel mosquitoes, as well as some other pests. Recommended plants include lavender, marigolds, catnip (also called catmint), rosemary, citronella grass (the Cybopogon nardus or Citronella winterianus variety), basil, and scented geraniums.
  • Use fans. Consumer Reports tested the efficacy of oscillating pedestal fans to keep mosquitoes from invading decks and patios and found that such fans cut mosquito landings by 45 to 65 percent for those sitting closest to the fans. When hosting backyard barbecues, homeowners can set up several such fans on their decks and patios to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Mosquitoes are unwelcome guests come spring and summer. But homeowners can take steps to increase the likelihood that their properties stay mosquito-free.

Filed Under: Family Fun

Featured Events

Post an Event

Bring the family out for exciting carniv
Tomorrow, all day

Staten Island Mall Carnival
Staten Island Mall

Fleet Week New York is a citywide salute
Tomorrow, 9 am

Staten Island Fleet Week
Staten Island Homeport Pier

This event will take place at the South
Tomorrow, 3:30 pm

Create Your Own Buttons or Magnets
South Beach Library

Enjoy food, rides, and entertainment at
Tomorrow, 5 pm

L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival
Westfield Garden State Plaza

Barf, boogers, body odor—blecch! The bod
May 24, all day

Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body
Liberty Science Center

The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show features
May 31, 7 pm

The Canine Stars: Stunt Dog Show
St. George Theatre

View All Events…

Primary Sidebar

View Local Activities for Kids
  • Harry Potter Flagship Coming to NYC in June
  • Fall Bucket List for Staten Island Families 2023
  • Massive Vehicle Recall
  • Here’s Where Kids Can Take Cooking Classes on Staten Island
  • Your Family Will Love These Top 10 Parks in Staten Island

Staten Island Parent

Staten Island Parent helps parents make better decisions. We have the latest activities and local events that matter to you. Plus many informative articles and important directories including schools, afterschool programs, camps, special needs, birthday parties, health and wellness. Our contests and clubs are fun for the whole family!

    • Browse Past Issues
    • Get Activities & School Info

Footer

si parent logo
Staten Island Parent
One MetroTech Center 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(646) 559–9100

Important Links

  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Browse Past Issues
  • Where to Find The Magazine
  • Write For Staten Island Parent
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

Get Weekly Activities Emailed To You

Subscribe

Copyright © 1989-2025 Staten Island Parent Magazine, All Rights Reserved