When the temperatures shoot up many of us flock to the beaches, lakes, and pools to cool off. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are no different. Many of us are aware of these pesky insects and the painful bumps that can result from their bites. But why do they bite and why do they seem to be attracted to water? When the warm months hit, female mosquitoes begin to lay their eggs, however, in order to do that they need fresh blood from a host and still or slow moving water. This is where your family and the family pool come in. In the article below, we will share some tips on how to prevent mosquitoes from becoming attracted to your pool.
Prevention
Not only do you want to keep mosquitoes from biting, but also laying their eggs in your pool. Females can produce up to 3,000 eggs in their lifetime, making your pool prime real estate if you do not take the necessary steps. Consider the following tips in order to keep your pool from becoming a mosquito nesting ground.
- Prepare Mosquito Traps – Mosquito traps are excellent for areas that may be prone to many mosquitos but also need to be family friendly by eliminating the spreading of chemicals and pesticides.
- Install Bug Misters – These bug misters will prevent bugs from even entering the area. Strategically aligning them around your backyard can prevent any sort of insects from entering the area. However, bug misters can contain toxic substances that may harm your environment or health. Some municipalities even prohibit the use of them.
- Landscape Maintenance – Tell mosquitos they are not welcomed by keeping your bushes, grass, and trees well trimmed. Overgrown plants and weeds attract these little insects to lay eggs and search for hidden puddles between the bush.
- Create an Enclosed Space – Enclose a space with a clear plastic or screen mesh to keep bugs away. You can do this around a simple dining table or even the whole pool area. Some individuals will even have them attached to their home for easy transportation from inside to out, without risking those pesky mosquitoes entering the area.
- Mesh Patio Curtains – Mesh patio curtains can provide the protection of creating an enclosed space, with the flexibility of being out in the open. These curtains can be open and closed around frequently used spaces. If you find mosquitos being an issue during certain times of the year, close up the area. During the remaining months, keep them open so you can freely roam your outside space.
- Check on Your Cover – One area you may forget to often check is your pool cover. When it rains or when your nearby sprinklers let off some water, puddles can often collect on your pool cover. The water may dry up or evaporate, but not always. Regularly check this area and make sure water has not collected or attracted mosquitos. If you do notice water collecting, simply dry the cover with a rag or towel.
- Check on Other Water Reservoirs – Pools are not the only still body of water you need to look out for. Backyards that have ponds, rivers, planters, or other containers that may collect water need to be either consistently checked, drained, or removed from your backyard.
When we put lots of work into our backyards, we want to enjoy them as much as possible. Mosquitoes and other pesky bugs can turn a fun experience into a dreadful nightmare. Simply following a few of these tips can keep your outdoor space bug free and fun all year long.