You can’t go wrong with hanging by the pool on a hot summer day, unless mosquitoes are bugging you. These pests are notorious for crashing pool parties and leaving you with red itchy bumps. We’ve gathered a few tips to help you keep your pool mosquito-free.
Keep Your Pool Clean
Mosquitoes love water, but that doesn’t mean your pool has to be a gathering spot. Regularly cleaning your pool can help to keep mosquitoes out of it. Water with chlorine isn’t an ideal spot to lay eggs. Your pool’s pump and filter will help to keep water circulating, which will prevent the water from becoming stagnant.
Monitor Your Pool Cover
Your pool’s cover can quickly become the perfect breeding spot for mosquitoes. Monitor it to ensure water doesn’t accumulate. Check for tears in the cover that could lead to moisture build-up. Drain your cover at least once a week and after rainfall.
Dry Your Pool Toys
Some pool toys have the potential to store water, which could attract mosquitoes. Dump out any water that accumulates in or on the toys. Lay them and pool rafts out in the sun to dry. It’s best to store these indoors until you need them to help prevent water from accumulating.
Watch What Time You Swim
Mosquitoes are most active in the evening and early in the morning. If possible, avoid swimming during these times. You’re less likely to see mosquitoes during the warmest parts of the afternoon. Mosquitoes need a break from the heat and sunlight.
Enclose Your Pool
Creating a physical barrier around your pool can be a game changer. Installing a screen or glass enclosure can help keep your pool free of mosquitoes. If you already have one, check screens regularly for tears that need repaired. Gaps can form in glass enclosures, so keep your eyes open for them.
Eliminate Standing Water
Examine your yard for areas with standing water. While big puddles can attract mosquitoes, so can small amounts of water. Mosquitoes only need about ½ inch of water to lay eggs. Ensure water doesn’t accumulate in things like flowerpots, wheelbarrows, toys, and even old bottle caps. You’ll also want to replace the water in pet bowls and birdbaths regularly.
Maintain Your Yard
Mosquitoes need places to hide and things in your yard could be the perfect spot. Keeping your yard well maintained will help to prevent mosquito problems. Keep your lawn and vegetation trimmed. Eliminate yard debris like piles of leaves and grass clippings.
Use a Fan
Mosquitoes struggle to fly on a windy day. You can’t control the weather, but you can create windy conditions. Running your outdoor fan can make it harder for mosquitoes to reach you. It will also help to keep you cool when you’re just hanging out by the pool.
Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants
Some flowers and ornamental plants have a fragrance that naturally repels pests. Planting these can help keep mosquitoes away. Marigolds, rosemary, lavender, basil, lemongrass, and peppermint, are a few plants that are said to have repellent properties.
Create a Protective Barrier
Natural plant essential oils also contain repellent properties. When these are combined correctly, they can be an effective pest solution. Spraying your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray can help prevent mosquitoes. Our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Mosquito & Tick Killer kills mosquitoes on contact while also providing you with residual repellency.
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your fun. Mosquito proofing your pool and yard can help keep these pests away, so you can enjoy your time outside. If bugs are giving you a fit, we’re here to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective Pest Control products.