With more and more research about how pesticides can be detrimental to the environment and humans, it’s important to look for alternative solutions for mosquitoes that don’t contain harmful chemicals. At DynaTrap®, we’re all about being green – so we focus on breaking the breeding cycle with our technology, allowing you to enjoy your backyard while keeping mosquitoes away without pesticides.
Dangers of Pesticides
Mosquitoes are annoying pests that can leave you itching for days after being bitten. They are also known to spread dangerous diseases, so it’s no wonder that we’ve developed so many ways to eliminate them or stop them from potentially bothering us.
When it comes to some pesticides, however, it may be that they’re more harmful than helpful to you. Potential consequences depend on the kind of mosquito pesticide and what sort of formula they happen to use. It has been discovered that when certain pesticides are applied to the skin, they might cause irritation and hypersensitivity. If the formula contains certain concentrations of ingredients it can also damage clothing and plastics.
Perhaps you might not be affected by a pesticide directly, but the environment around you can be. Despite where you may live, the pesticides that you use in your yard can impact the animals and ecosystem directly. Wildlife can be affected by pesticides through firsthand contamination from direct or indirect application, secondary poisoning, runoff into local water, or groundwater contamination. They might also be directly affected by eating the plants that you’ve applied the pesticide to.
Many species are affected by some of these pesticides, especially bees (when not using bee-friendly formulas). Bees often are directly affected by pesticides that homeowners apply to flowers and other outdoor plants. As an essential species that plays a big part in the ecosystem, it’s important to know the effects that these toxins might potentially have on bees.
Other animals, like birds, small mammals, fish, other aquatic organisms, and more can be impacted by these pesticides. The biggest problem with pesticides for mosquitoes is that it is easy to apply them incorrectly, allowing them to have detrimental effects on beneficial insects and other animals that may encounter the pesticide.
Innovative Mosquito Solutions
Green Alternatives
Besides pesticides, there are many other options to deter mosquitoes. The best way that you can prevent and control mosquitoes in your yard, is by focusing on breaking the life cycle.
By targeting mosquito larvae, you can prevent mosquitoes from breeding and swarming your yard. With over 200 species of mosquitoes in the United States, each species has a preferred habitat. It might seem overwhelming at first, but most mosquitoes are going to lay their eggs in stagnant water or moist soil. By recognizing breeding sites in your yard, you can stop these pests before they become unmanageable.
To start, you should recognize locations near your home or in your backyard for standing water. Here are some low impact approaches to help stop the breeding cycle:
- Remove items that collect water – Anything that is sitting around in your yard and that collects water is an open invite for mosquitoes to lay their eggs in. Buckets, tires, cans, etc. should be cleaned up.
- Take care of your pool – If you have a backyard pool, make sure you keep it chlorinated and that it’s circulating the water so mosquitoes can’t lay their eggs in it.
- Check drainage – Make sure your pipes aren’t leaking into your yard, but also check that you’re not overwatering your plants. This can cause puddles and provide a larval habitat.
- Check gutters – Be sure to regularly clean your gutters to prevent water runoff and water pooling.
If you already find your yard occupied by mosquitoes, don’t worry! There are other ways that you can help eliminate and stop mosquitoes from bothering you without using pesticides.
There are several natural ways that you can repel mosquitoes. Essential oils, like catmint, peppermint, lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, thyme, geranium, clove, cinnamon, and rosemary have a strong scent that mosquitoes find unappealing.
At DynaTrap®, we care about the environment and understand the importance of preserving the ecosystem. But we also understand how hard it can be to enjoy your outdoor areas when these insects start biting. Our outdoor DynaTrap® flying insect traps use a UV-light to attract mosquitoes while working with a lure that mimics human breathe to draw in mosquitoes. The whisper-quiet vacuum then sucks mosquitoes in to eliminate them from your space. There’s a variety of coverages to choose from to ensure the best defense for your yard. We also have a variety of indoor options at DynaTrap® that you can safely use all-around your home.
Safe when used as directed, these solutions not only help promote a healthy environment but are perfect for homes with kids and pets.
Learn More
Do you have mosquito solutions that don’t involve the use of pesticides? Let us know on our Facebook page! Also, stay up to date with the latest information about mosquito control and our new products by signing up for our e-newsletter. We’re always working towards creating better technology to help you defend your home from unwanted insects!
