We have learned about mosquitoes enough to know that their bites are both irritating and dangerous, not to mention the annoying buzz they make. Mosquitoes can become a real problem when trying to enjoy a breezy day or warm evening out on your porch. Therefore, we have gathered for you the 9 most effective ways of getting rid of mosquitoes outdoors.
Things You’ll Need
To get rid of mosquitoes on your porch, you will need some of the items listed below, depending on the methods you choose to employ.
Citronella insect repellent candle
Yellow LED bug lights
Non-toxic natural mosquito repellent spray
BTI anti-mosquito dunks
Mosquito trap and killer
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes on a Porch in 9 Steps
Method 1: Keep your lawn trimmed.
If your porch overlooks a green and lush lawn, you’d want to make sure the grass is not tall and other shrubs are trimmed down. Tallgrass and vegetation are mosquitoes’ favorite hangout spots, and they will naturally find their way into your porch when they see you enjoying some time in peace. Therefore, to get rid of mosquitoes, make sure you mow your lawn every week and keep it neat and trim.
Method 2: Install a pedestal fan.
You may have noticed yourself that mosquitoes are very weak fliers. Therefore, installing any type of fan on your porch can help in getting rid of mosquitoes. By using their weakness against them, you can switch the fan on whenever you decide to sit outside. This method will solve more than one problem in the summers when the cool breeze from the fan will refresh you even more.
Method 3: Use yellow bug lights.
If your porch is lit up with incandescent lights, it may be a major reason for mosquitoes buzzing on your porch all the time. Therefore, to get rid of mosquitoes on your porch, use yellow bug lights which do not interest or attract the mosquitoes. These will not necessarily act as repellents, but they will be a great replacement for bright LED lights and may even help you set a relaxing mood after sunset.
Method 4: Light a few candles.
Speaking of setting a relaxing mood on the porch, a few scented candles can do just that, along with making your porch smell amazing. You can even plan your next candlelight dinner on your porch with this method, all the while keeping mosquitoes away. Citronella candles are considered best in getting rid of mosquitoes, but any candle can do the magic as mosquitoes despise smoke.
Method 5: Catch the mosquitoes with a mosquito trap.
There are several available options in the market when it comes to mosquito traps. While this is an effective method of getting rid of mosquitoes, they may require some maintenance on your part. You can choose from a range of sticky traps to fan traps, which will both trap and kill the mosquitoes. If you decide to go with this method, make sure to empty the trap regularly to avoid a buildup of mosquito dead bodies.
Method 6: Use a bug spray a few minutes before sitting on the porch.
A chemical-based standard mosquito repellent spray may not be your first choice, but this method has been used for a long time now because it works. If you are looking for a simple solution to get rid of mosquitoes for the short time you spend out on the porch, you can simply spray a bug repellent for about 10 minutes before you have to sit. This way, you will not be inhaling any toxic fumes and also clearing the area from mosquitoes. Non-toxic bug repellents are also easily available on Amazon now.
Method 7: Drain any standing water.
In case you do not already know, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Examine your porch and surrounding areas for any containers holding water. It may seem okay at first glance, but upon looking carefully, you may find watering cans or even bottle caps filled with water you forgot to drain out.
Rainwater accumulated in any containers and puddles can also make for great breeding spots for mosquitoes, while clogged gutters can also hold standing water. Draining any standing water is crucial in getting rid of mosquitoes.
Method 8: Treat open water with BTI.
There may be some areas around your porch that you will not be able to drain water out of. In this case, put some BTI dunks in those areas to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs there. BTI is a bacterium that only targets mosquito eggs and is easily available in most garden stores.
To get rid of mosquitoes, BTI dunks can be added to open water surfaces and can also be sprinkled into gutters and other water collection areas. They are also safe to use around aquatic plants and animals, so; you do not have to worry about your plants and fish.
Method 9: Change the water in the birdbaths regularly.
Make sure to empty and refill any wading pool, birdbaths, and, most importantly, potted plant stands at least once a week. If you have an inground pool, do not forget to treat it with chlorine to eliminate mosquito eggs and cover it with a tarp on days you are not using it.
Our Final Thoughts
Other than being annoying, mosquitoes are the deadliest creature on earth. While usual mosquito bites leave you with a frustrating itch, others by more dangerous species can cause severe diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Therefore, it is important to get rid of mosquitoes when you are planning to spend time outdoors. We hope these nine effective methods of how to get rid of mosquitoes on the porch help you enjoy a relaxing, mosquito-free time on your porch.
