Humidity loves Dallas as much as thunderstorms. After nearly every summer shower, buckets of rainwater collect in random places around your property. Unfortunately, so do insects. Not only are mosquitoes annoying, but they also pose serious health hazards to you and your family. Some Dallas pests are known to spread diseases like West Nile Virus. To ensure your yard isn’t overrun with biting insects, it’s important to learn what you’re up against.
Signs of a Mosquito Infestation
Mosquitoes are pesky year-round, but during the summer season, it can be difficult to determine if you have a real problem. After all, one bug is never much cause for concern. But what if there are hundreds?
A better way to identify signs of mosquitoes is to look for nests and breeding grounds.
First, take note if you are being bitten at unusual times.
If you are getting eaten alive during the middle of a bright sunny day, you may have Asian Tiger mosquitoes. These invasive species have historically thrived in the Dallas heat and will readily attack during daylight hours.
Mosquitoes like to rest in shaded areas during the day. So if you swat a dozen flying insects every time you walk through tall grass or brush up against a shrub near your home, it’s likely that your yard is their home too.
Lastly, the surefire way to tell if you’ve got mosquitoes is to look for larvae in standing water. They resemble tiny worms dangling from the water’s surface. Common areas for mosquitoes to breed include birdbaths, clogged gutters, tree holes, and even the saucer underneath your potted plants.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes
Mosquito control isn’t complicated, but it does require diligence. You have to break their life cycle by making your property less inviting and spraying the parasites before they make it onto your landscaping.
Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitoes breed where water collects. Eliminating these breeding sites is step number one to any Dallas mosquito control plan.
- Dump out water that has collected in your gutters at least seasonally.
- Replace the water in birdbaths and kiddie pools every other day.
- Flip over your wheelbarrows and toy chests when you’re finished using them.
- Look for areas where water might pool that you don’t think about.
- The corrugated plastic piping used to extend downspouts often holds cups of stagnant water in the ridges.
Thin out thick landscaping
Mosquitoes despise wind and sun. They love humidity and dankness. By cutting back bushes and keeping your grass cut short, you can limit the humid environment they crave during daylight hours.
Work on removing ivy or any thick bushes that touch the side of your home. These are ideal resting spots for mosquitoes who have found their way onto your property.
Fans + Plants
If you’re looking for a quick fix while hosting an outdoor event, grab a few box fans. Although they may not look like it, mosquitoes are weak fliers. Positioning a large oscillating fan between your guests and the swarm will send them packing.
Certain plants like citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary work as natural mosquito repellents. While they won’t eradicate your problem, they can help to deter insects in close proximity to the plants.
Inspect Your Yard In 60 Seconds Or Less
Grab a timer when you head outside. Can you find three areas around your house that hold water long after it rains? Pro tip: The underside of your grill cover, trash can lid, and children’s play sets are ALL common hiding spots.
When To Call Pest Control Services for Mosquitos
It’s only when the population becomes unbearable that most Dallas homeowners start looking for a mosquito control company near me that can hose them down. Don’t wait until your back deck resembles a blood donation center.
If you’ve been vigilant about “dump and drain” but still can’t make it to your mailbox without getting bit, there’s a good chance your problem is originating from someone else’s yard. Adjacent yards and public greenbelts are the main culprits for larger mosquito populations. Pest control companies have specialized equipment that most homeowners don’t. Mature trees, mulched areas, and flocked shrubs are difficult to treat yourself.
Your local mosquito control experts have high-volume foggers and the ability to apply concentrated treatments directly to water sources. Technicians can search for hidden breeding sites you may have overlooked. Things like bird hideaways high up in trees or drainage ditches that don’t slope downward correctly.
Untreated Protective Layer
One of the best ways to establish a perimeter around your home is to treat the undersides of leaves. Most aerosol sprays don’t reach these areas because the mosquitoes land under the leaf blades to avoid sun exposure. Pest control companies use backpack spray systems that create a sticky “kill zone” on every surface they touch.
Prevent Mosquitoes All Season Long
Mosquito season in North Texas starts earlier and lasts longer every year. Winters have become so mild that mosquitoes can remain active until November. Don’t wait until the Fourth of July to start thinking about mosquito control services for your yard.
Keeping your yard debris-free during the winter can pay huge dividends in the spring. When the ground thaws after freezing, it can cause new dips in your lawn to develop. Run a roller over these areas to level them out, or fill them in with topsoil.
Call Pest G.O.A.T.S. | Your Mosquito Solution
Do your kids love playing in the backyard but constantly come inside covered in bug bites? Or are you a restaurant owner in South Dallas, dealing with guests getting bitten while dining in your outdoor seating area? When DIY mosquito candles and Bug Bomb sprays aren’t cutting it, call the professionals who live in your community.
Pest G.O.A.T.S. Pest Control has been providing mosquito pest control in the Duncanville and Dallas area for over a decade. We specialize in working with busy families and businesses to help you find a solution that works with your schedule. We’ll come out and evaluate your entire property for areas we can treat to create a safe zone around your home.
We take pride in being Dallas’ premier pest control company. Give us a call today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do I have so many mosquitoes?
Humidity + Storms + Standing water = Mosquitoes. These insects rely on standing water to lay eggs and breed. From gutters, birdbaths, to overwater plants.
Q. What areas are treated during mosquito pest control services?
Mosquito treatments commonly focus on shaded landscaping, bushes, trees, patios, fences, standing water areas, and other outdoor spaces where mosquitoes tend to hide and breed.
Q. How often should mosquito pest control be done?
Treatments should be applied to Dallas properties anywhere from every 21 to 30 days for maximum effect. Many homeowners and businesses schedule treatments monthly or seasonally during warmer months.
Q. Are mosquito control treatments safe for my family and pets?
When applied by licensed professionals, these products are perfectly safe. Our mosquito pest control treatments are designed to be applied responsibly around homes and businesses.