How to Control Mosquitoes Inside and Outside of Your Home

Mosquito on net

Published On: October 8, 2021
Updated On: March 2, 2023

Nothing spoils enjoying nice Arizona weather than finding yourself covered in mosquito bites. It’s annoying, unsettling, and unhealthy, and we all want the secret to controlling these elusive little bugs that are an all-too-common problem inside and outside homes.

Thankfully, the best minds in pest control have shared some of their best methods for preventing and eliminating mosquitos – and we’ve compiled them in one spot just for you!

Read on for some of the best long-term solutions for dealing with mosquitos in Arizona. 

This blog will consider:

What Attracts Mosquitoes to Your Home?

Mosquitoes don’t appear in random spots, simply biting everything in sight (as much as our skin might say otherwise). Mosquitoes are attracted explicitly to heat, scents, moisture, and colors.

Some of the most common things that attract mosquitoes include:

  • Body Heat: Mosquitoes feed on blood, and body heat is their way to find it, be it human or animal.
  • Sweat: Typically a byproduct of body heat, sweat draws mosquitoes by its scent. Studies have shown that substances such as alcohol increase your body temperature and the attractiveness of your sweat to mosquitoes – so beware.
  • Clothing: Mosquitoes especially fly toward brightly colored clothing in search of food or moisture. The quality of clothing doesn’t particularly matter, and even darker colors won’t keep you safe from catching their attention.
  • Nectar, Cologne, and Sugar: While mosquitoes primarily drink blood, they also consume nectar and are drawn toward sugary sources.
  • Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed and lay their eggs in standing water, ready to multiply and only make matters worse for you and your household.

How to Control Mosquitoes at Home

Because mosquitoes are attracted to certain things that we cannot eliminate (such as body heat), it’s crucial to know how to deal with mosquitoes invading your home. 

Some of the best ways to deter mosquitoes in your house include:

  • Use netting, screens, or sealant to prevent entrance to your house.
  • Use bug zappers and traps to kill mosquitoes before they get near your home.
  • Grow or keep mosquito-repellent plants such as marigolds, lemongrass, or mint.
  • Lemons and cloves work as a natural mosquito repellent.
  • Check and clean your vents, drains, and other contained areas to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home and breeding.

What are the Best Ways to Remove Mosquitos?

We all know even one mosquito is just too many. Once you have a bite or notice any crowding around your lights or sources of water, it’s time to take action.

Here are some of the best ways to remove mosquitoes from your home:

1)  Set out a dish of soapy water: mosquitos will sit on it and eventually die from the exposure.

2)  Use body-spray repellent: Applying chemical-based sprays to yourself may not smell great, but it is an effective short-term solution for preventing bites.

3)  Mosquito traps: There are traps you can purchase or traps you can make yourself that are mildly effective and work best as a secondary solution.

4)  Oscillating fans: Mosquitoes struggle to fly against the wind – fans do well to imitate that. This isn’t the most efficient or sustainable solution for a widespread mosquito problem, but it will work in a pinch.

5)  Scented candles, essential oils, diffusers, etc.: Lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, or even garlic are scents known to repel mosquitoes.

These home remedies help deter mosquitoes and may work well for you and your family. However, if you are running into many mosquitoes swarming your house, you’ll need to contact your trusted professional pest control technician for extermination services.

Year-Round Mosquito Control Practices in Arizona

Arizona’s climate fosters predictable mosquito patterns throughout the year. This gives you an advantage in mitigating mosquito control problems coming your way, and these are some of the best practices for doing so:

  • Don’t leave standing water: Clear buckets and enclosures after rain, ensure your sprinklers are not creating pools, and regularly circulate any fountains or swimming pools around your home.
  • Replace patio or outdoor lights with bug lights: Yellow light deters mosquitoes, and specific bulbs are made to keep mosquitoes away. On another note, be aware of leaving doors and windows open.
  • Clean out vents and utility hoses: Accumulated moisture can attract mosquitoes to your home. A routine check can prevent them from finding accessible spots for breeding.
  • Cover your garbage: Garbage cans (especially when out in the Arizona heat) are significant sources of moisture, food, and other decomposing organic material. Don’t let mosquitoes fester, or you’ll likely find them in your home.
  • Use professional pest control services: We highly recommend having an experienced pest control technician visit your home for a yearly checkup. They will be your best resource for taking care of and preventing a mosquito infestation problem in your home.

Protect Your Home From Mosquitoes with Insectek

At Insectek, we have decades of experience preventing and removing mosquitoes from homes in Arizona. We know what it’s like waking up covered in bites – and we’re dedicated to ending it for you and your family, once and for all.

If you want to get rid of mosquitoes for good, contact one of our technicians for a free evaluation. We’re ready to help you take sustainable measures to have a mosquito-free home finally.

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