How to Repel Mosquitos Naturally in Canada

Get Rid of Standing Water

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, which makes puddles, ponds, buckets, and other sources of unmoving water the perfect place for these insects to nest. When you eliminate these breeding grounds, you reduce the number of mosquitoes in your vicinity and, therefore, your risk of getting bit.

Empty water containers—like bird baths and flower pots—regularly. Keep your gutters clean to prevent the accumulation of water and debris. If there are areas in your yard or around the foundation of your house where water pools, make changes to your landscaping to improve drainage.

In the event you have a rain barrel that can't be drained, cover it with mosquito netting or a fitted screen to make sure the barrel can still catch water without becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Clear Out Overgrown Areas

Mosquitoes love dense vegetation. If you have any areas of your yard that are heavily wooded, overgrown, or have bushes and shrubs that are unkempt, trim them back to get rid of potential mosquito habitats.

Another easy way to make your yard less mosquito-friendly is by making sure your lawn is kept short and doesn’t get too tall or start to flower. In the summer, when outdoor temperatures soar, mosquitoes will seek shade by hiding in thick grass.

When your grass is trimmed, there are fewer hiding spots for these flying pests. Ideally, you should keep your grass mowed to under 3 inches in length.

Furthermore, remove any piles of leaves, refuse, or garbage since these provide more areas for water to collect where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.

Have Water Features Treated with Non-Toxic Compounds

If any water features around your home can’t be emptied, like a pond or old fountain, have these areas treated with non-toxic or biological larvicides.

These compounds work to reduce the viability of mosquito larvae so they never hatch into adult mosquitoes. You may also want to consider installing an aeration device to keep the water moving and discourage mosquitoes from laying eggs.

Encourage the Mosquito's Natural Predators

There are many animals and other insects that feed on mosquitoes, including birds, frogs, and dragonflies. You can use these natural predators to help control the population of mosquitoes in your area by sheltering them and encouraging them to nest nearby.

You'll want to put the birdhouse somewhere in your yard where it will get at least six hours of sunlight each day to retain heat.

When awake, the animals will work on the mosquitoes, eating more than can be reproduced in a single day. Over time, the number of mosquitoes on your property will be reduced and possibly even eliminated.

Use Diatomaceous Earth Around Your Home

Diatomaceous earth is a natural compound made from finely ground fossilized algae. While it's not harmful to humans or pets, the tiny, sharp particles can burrow deep into an insect's protective exoskeleton.

This causes them to dehydrate and die, breaking the lifecycle and killing any infestation you were dealing with. However, it may be a few weeks before you see noticeable results. Diatomaceous earth helps remove mosquitoes that have already nested near your home.

Add BTI to Wet Areas

You can also use a naturally-occurring soil bacteria called Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI), which functions as a larvicide and prevents mosquitoes from maturing into adults. This bacteria works by affecting the insects' digestive systems, making them unable to eat and causing them to die of starvation within several days.

While effective against mosquitoes and other nuisance insects like fungus gnats and black flies, it doesn't harm other wildlife that may come into contact with it or cause damage to the surrounding ecosystem. You should apply BTI products wherever there is standing water you can't eliminate, as well as muddy or marshy areas that tend to stay damp.

Garden with Mosquito-Repelling Plants

If you like to garden or have ample space around your home to plant foliage, there are many natural plants that either repel mosquitoes or make it more difficult for them to pick up the scent of humans and animals in the area.

Popular plants you can put around your yard to ward away mosquitoes include:

• Lavender
• Citronella grass
• Eucalyptus
• Lemon
• Lemongrass
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Mint
• Garlic

These work similarly to the way that DEET does by masking the scent of lactic acid and carbon dioxide that mammals produce, which confuses mosquitoes’ sense of smell and prevents them from being able to locate sources of food. Most strong-smelling natural oils are effective natural mosquito repellants for this reason.

Reconfigure Your Outdoor Lighting

Mosquitoes are naturally attracted to lighting, especially at night. While having your porch lights on makes it easier to see in the dark, they act like a magnet that draws mosquitoes directly to you.

To keep mosquitoes away from your doors from dusk until dawn, make sure your lights are far enough away from your home. You can also put a mosquito zapper near your outdoor lights so they are lured away from you to the zapper, where they are destroyed.

Install and Use Outdoor Fans

Using fans outdoors is another way to repel mosquitoes naturally. Since mosquitoes aren’t very good fliers, the moving air makes it difficult for them to land. For this method to be effective, the fan will need to be on a high setting and pointed directly at the area you want to keep clear.

Small, battery-powered personal fans are a great way to keep air moving around you wherever you go outside.

Put Out DIY Mosquito Traps

A DIY bottle trap is a great way to get rid of mosquitoes that are already flying around your property. Just cut a plastic soda bottle in half and fill it about a quarter with a sugar water solution mixed with a few drops of dish soap.

Then, sprinkle a bit of yeast on the warm water and allow it to bloom. Turn the top of the bottle upside down and place it inside the rest of the bottle to create a funnel down into the water.

The yeast produces carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes, and the slightly soapy water coats their wings, causing them to drown. Mosquitoes that don’t drown have difficulty flying back out due to the funnel design.

Work with Qualified Pest Control Professionals

The safest and most effective way to get rid of mosquitoes on your property is with the help of a qualified professional mosquito exterminator. Trained exterminators understand the mosquito life cycle and use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to reduce populations without causing harm to the surrounding environment.

By working with a pest control specialist, you can confidently treat your property for mosquito infestations and have peace of mind that your home or business is always protected.

Keep Your Yard Naturally Mosquito-Free with Buzz Boss’ Exclusive BuzzShield™ Formula

At Buzz Boss, we don’t want you to have to rely on harmful chemicals that can cause more problems than they solve just to be able to spend a few afternoons outside. Our proprietary BuzzShield™ mosquito repellent uses a super-concentrated blend of garlic oils to create an all-natural barrier between insects and your property.

About an hour after application, the scent of garlic dissipates to humans but remains powerful to mosquitoes and keeps them away from the area. The formula should be applied at regular intervals for maximum efficacy, so you can enjoy a mosquito-free yard all year long.

Call today to schedule your BuzzShield™ service and enjoy your space once again!