Don’t Let Mosquitoes Ruin your BBQs!

Summer is a time for sunshine, outdoor activities, and of course, barbecues. However, along with the warm weather comes an unwelcome guest: the mosquito. These tiny pests can quickly ruin your backyard festivities and leave you with itchy and uncomfortable bites. But fear not, there are plenty of steps you can take to prevent mosquitoes from crashing your BBQ.

Get Rid of Any Standing Water on Your Property

One of the best ways to keep mosquitoes away from your BBQ is to eliminate any standing water on your property. Mosquitoes require standing water to breed and lay their eggs. Common sources of standing water include flower pots, bird baths, gutters, and even small puddles.

To get rid of standing water, start by regularly checking your yard and emptying any containers that collect water. Make sure your gutters are clean and clear of any debris that could block the flow of water. If you have a pond or pool, make sure it is properly maintained and treated with mosquito-repelling chemicals.

Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Another natural way to keep mosquitoes away from your BBQ is to plant mosquito-repelling plants in your yard. Some plants that are known to repel mosquitoes include:

• Citronella: Citronella is a popular mosquito-repelling plant that is often used in candles and sprays. The scent of citronella masks other scents that attract mosquitoes, making it difficult for them to locate their prey. Citronella also disrupts the mosquito’s ability to detect carbon dioxide, which is one of the ways they find humans and animals.
• Lavender: Lavender is a beautiful and fragrant plant that also happens to repel mosquitoes. Studies have shown that the essential oils in lavender can significantly reduce mosquito bites and may be as effective as some chemical mosquito repellents. To use lavender as a mosquito repellent, you can plant it in your garden or place dried lavender in sachets around your outdoor areas.
• Lemon Balm: The strong scent of lemon balm is believed to mask the scents that attract mosquitoes, making it difficult for them to find you. You can crush the leaves and rub them on your skin or place potted lemon balm plants around your outdoor areas to help repel mosquitoes. You can also make a tea with lemon balm leaves and use it as a natural insect repellent spray for your skin or around your outdoor areas.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are not only a beautiful addition to any garden, but they also repel mosquitoes. The scent of marigolds is believed to be offensive to mosquitoes, making them less likely to stick around. Marigolds are also easy to grow and maintain, so it’s a great idea to plant marigolds around your outdoor areas or in pots on your patio or balcony to help keep mosquitoes away.
• Mint: Mint contains essential oils, which are natural mosquito repellents. The main essential oil found in mint is called menthol, which has a strong scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant. While mint may not be as effective as some other mosquito-repelling plants like citronella, it can still be a helpful addition to your garden to help keep mosquitoes at bay.
• Rosemary: Rosemary is another herb that is known to repel mosquitoes. Rosemary contains essential oils, including camphor, eucalyptol, and limonene, which have strong scents that can mask other scents that attract mosquitoes. Some studies suggest that rosemary may be more effective at repelling mosquitoes than other common repellents like DEET.

Use Citronella Candles and Tiki Torches

Citronella candles and tiki torches are another popular way to keep mosquitoes away from your BBQ. When using citronella candles or tiki torches, place them at least 6 to 8 feet apart and away from any flammable materials like trees, shrubs, or outdoor furniture. You want to create a barrier of protection around your guests so place them near seating areas or around the perimeter of your outdoor space to create a barrier against mosquitoes.

Professional Pest Control

If you have tried all the natural remedies and still cannot seem to keep mosquitoes away from your BBQ, it may be time to call in the professionals. A pest control company can assess your property and provide recommendations for the best course of action. Professional pest control can include a variety of treatments, such as mosquito spraying or fogging. These treatments are designed to kill adult mosquitoes and prevent new mosquitoes from breeding.

Reach out to PestNow of Central Virginia if you are in need of professional pest control services. We can take care of mosquitoes as well as many other insects and pests. In fact, our YardGuard Program will eliminate up to 90% of ticks and mosquitoes on your property!

We are a veteran-owned and operated local business that proudly serves the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Northern Neck areas. At PestNow CVA, we make sure that you’re getting the best of both worlds from our staff. You get access to support from the nationwide PestNow organization and you also get personalized service, individual attention, and professional expertise from the local Virginians who own and operate our three locations.