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They weigh less than a thousandth of a dime, travel just one mile an hour, and typically live only two to three weeks. But because they spread many deadly diseases (West Nile virus, dengue, and malaria, to name a few), mosquitoes kill more than a million people each year, making them the deadliest creatures on earth. And, as we all know, just one tiny mosquito can be a huge nuisance. Combat the little buggers this season by protecting your yard, protecting yourself, and treating bites with natural remedies. Here are three no-cost ways to enjoy a mosquito-free summer.
Don’t give them a chance to become parents. To lay eggs, mosquitoes need water, but it must have been standing more than four days. Here's how to eliminate potential breeding habitats.
Drain any standing water that's collected in garbage cans, old tires, potted-plant saucers, and buckets. Change the water in pets' dishes daily; in birdbaths and children's pools, every two days.
Toss trash and recycle often—especially bottles and cans.
Clear debris from gutters and storm drains.
Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
Keep biting mosquitoes (which are always adult females) away from your house and yard.
Adult mosquitoes like to rest on plants. Reduce the number of places where they can find shelter by pulling up weeds and mowing the lawn regularly.
When you're enjoying a drink on the porch, set up a rotating fan outside—mosquitoes are weak flyers and won't make headway against a current.
Protect yourself, now that the garden's covered. To keep from getting bitten, try not to schedule outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active (usually dawn and dusk), and when you do go outside, use a mosquito repellent. Steer clear of products containing the chemical deet; according to researchers at Duke University, frequent and long-term exposure may lead to memory loss, muscle and joint pain, shortness of breath, and brain damage. Fortunately, there are a number of effective, safe alternatives.
