Mosquito.buzz Blog

Finally... it's May Two Four!

The Victoria Day long weekend in Canada is more than just a holiday; it signifies the start of Spring, and more importantly, the beginning of cottage season.

Escaping to the cottage in Spring and Summer has it's perks; all that sensational scenery, idyllic days and no-worries nights among the woods and the lake, and not to mention, the whole family adopting a new found sense of well-being. 

Just like everything, there's gotta be a downside. And we're willing to bet that the number one downside of going to the cottage is bugs, and in particular, mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes aren't just annoying, and their bites aren't just ugly. They pose the risk of West Nile disease and the Zika virus, just to name a few.

Luckily, there are some things you can do around the cottage to avoid the risk of mosquito bites. Here are our top tips.

Get Rid of Standing Water

No, we're not suggesting that you excavate your beloved lake. But with that said, lakes - and standing water in general - are a big reason why there are so many mosquitoes in cottage country.

Mosquitoes breed in standing water. So if your cottage has lots of it around, you're going to have lots of mosquitoes, too. This includes pet bowls, fountains, rain barrels - literally anything that can hold more than an inch of water. That's all it takes for a female mosquito to lay a bunch of eggs and create hundreds more mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes tend not to travel far from water, so regularly drain any types of water-filled containers to help prevent mosquito populations getting out of hand. 

Trim Grass & Vegetation

Before mosquitoes go for gold on your exposed skin, they wait around and pick out their prey. Trees, shrubs, and tall grasses are the most common places for mosquitoes to linger before flying over to their target, plus it gives them something other than your skin to nibble on, just for a bit of nutrition.

Keeping grass mowed and vegetation trimmed will help reduce mosquito populations around the cottage, as you'll be giving them less foliage to hide in.

You can also prevent puddles in the lawn by filling in low levels with extra soil and seed, or having the lawn aerated. An aeration will relieve soil compaction, which will help stop puddles from forming after a heavy bout of rain, giving mosquitoes one less place to breed.

Keep The Cottage Clutter-free

Back to our point on hiding places; mosquitoes don't just rest in foliage. Piles of wood and leaves are hot spots for mosquitoes and ticks, so make an effort to declutter the cottage.

Items like tires are notorious for breeding thousands of mosquitoes, since they not only carry standing water but also provide some insulation for baby mosquitoes. 

Do a walk of the cottage and get rid of anything that doesn't need to be there; kids toys, unused canoes, tarps, helmets... whatever could give mosquitoes a place to breed.

Avoid Wearing Dark Colours

How big is a mosquito? Pretty freakin' tiny. With those tiny little eyes, it makes sense that certain colours stand out to them more. 

Research tells us that mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colours, including royal blue. So try not to sit outside wearing all black everything, unless you feel like wearing an invisible sign on your head that says "Hey Miss Mosquito, come bite me! "

Mosquitoes are much less fond of those wearing pastel colours, simply because they can't really see them. Plus, you're going to feel the heat a lot more in dark colours, so wearing that white outfit instead is going to be a win-win.

Set Up An Electric Fan

Here's an insider tip; mosquitoes are pretty weak at flying compared to other bugs such as black flies (just as annoying, we know!)

Setting up an electric fan where you and your squad are sitting is an easy way to reduce the amount of mosquito bites to your bare skin, as it'll hinder their ability to reach you.

On a warm day, the slight breeze will be nice, too! 

Protect The Cottage With Mosquito Control

We've saved the best idea for last. 

Mosquito proofing your cottage property with professional mosquito control is a tried and tested way to eliminate the risk and annoyance of mosquitoes. Licensed and trained technicians visit your cottage every 21 days, treating all the areas that mosquitoes live, rest, and hide, creating a barrier that mosquitoes fail to penetrate.

Regular visits keep the cottage protected all season long, and you won't need to worry about any other strategies. Plus, cottage mosquito control is our favourite :) 

Talk to our team of mosquito and tick control gurus for more information on barrier protection for your cottage.

Plus, follow us on Facebook for weekly prevention tips and tricks.