Summer nights in Indianapolis should be for barbecuing, viewing fireflies, and hanging out on your deck. Instead, most homeowners are forced to go inside as soon as the sun sets because swarms of hungry mosquitoes overwhelm the yard. These annoying little things make your backyard a horrible battleground that brings your outdoor get-togethers to a halt and keeps your family stuck inside.
Mosquitoes breed in abundance due to the favourable weather and multiple water bodies around the city. Your lovely backyard is a no-fly zone during peak mosquito activity, and just stepping out to check the garden requires full body armor and chemical sprays.
Trusted pest control services in Indianapolis can help to regain complete freedom in your outer world by helping you get rid of mosquitoes.
5 DIY Mosquito Repellents That Work In Indianapolis Backyards
1. Essential Oil Spray Blends
Combine 10 drops each of citronella, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils with 2 ounces of witch hazel and 2 ounces of water. In Indianapolis’s humidity, this natural repellent is effective and lasts 2-3 hours when reapplied frequently.
2. Coffee Grounds Barrier Method
Place used coffee grounds around seating areas, pots, and garden beds. The grounds form an acidic barrier that repels mosquitoes, and they also break down and boost your soil organically. This works particularly well against mosquitoes that are just resting and waiting for you to walk by, which is very common in neighborhood areas of Indianapolis where there are trees and shaded regions.
3. Garlic Water Treatment
Crush four cloves of garlic, mix with some water, strain, and spray around the property. The sulfur compounds in garlic create an invisible protective layer around you, preventing mosquitoes from biting you for up to a month.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar Traps
Pour apple cider vinegar into shallow dishes and place a few drops of dish soap in it. Set these traps in yard corners and any source of standing water. The vinegar lures mosquitoes while the soap keeps them trapped, so that you can reduce the numbers in your neighborhood.
5. Marigold and Basil Border Plants
Plant marigolds and basil in your patio, walkways, and outdoor dining areas. Marigolds and basil are natural mosquito repellents, and their strong scents repel the pests. Basil works well for many reasons, mainly because it is a hardy plant in Indianapolis’ growing zone 6a climate and offers the additional benefit of fresh herbs for cooking.
6. Cinnamon Oil Ground Treatment
Blend up cinnamon essential oil (1:10, oil to water) and spray directly on the soil around your yard. Studies reveal that mosquito eggs and larvae are also killed by cinnamon oil, thereby making it a great prevention strategy. Make sure concrete cracks in areas around downspouts, flower beds, and anywhere water tends to pool up after the many spring and summer storms that we experience in Indianapolis.
What Happens When You Do Not Stop Them?
Your family’s health is the first sacrifice. Indianapolis mosquitoes carry real diseases like West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, with the peak mosquito season from May to September. These diseases have more severe complications in children and elderly family members.
In summer, potential buyers notice your mosquito problems, and soon, your family stops using those outdoor spaces you created and spent money on. Outdoor activities such as barbecues are performed in the house, gardening quickly becomes mundane, and your patio furniture collects dirt for months.
When DIY May Not Be Enough
Many Indianapolis properties, well-landscaped or with water features or close to wetlands, are typically plagued with so many mosquitoes that home remedies cannot solve the problem. Specialist pest control firms such as Pointe Pest Control understand what types of mosquitoes are common in Indianapolis and how those types act. They can locate breeding sites that you may overlook and implement treatments that offer more extended protection during mosquito season.
Seek professional help when you need to continuously reapply readily available products, if family members have developed allergic reactions to bites, or if mosquitoes quickly return after treatment.