Say No To The Mosquito At Your Outdoor Party

How good is Summer? Especially when you have your own backyard and some crazy friends and family... what's the point of even going out? Your backyard doesn't have cover charges, closing hours or long queues, so why not keep the party going til whenever o'clock?

Ahhh... that's right. Mosquitoes. Those uninvited guests have a knack for turning up and spoiling a perfect day or night. But alas, there are ways to keep them away from your bangin' backyard party.

Here are our top tips.

Get Rid Of Any Standing Water

Mosquito Control 101: mosquitoes breed in standing water. They also like to keep close to their breeding areas, so if you've got any potential breeding zones around your property, eliminate them in advance. Think gutters, dog bowls, empty containers, air-conditioner drip pans, uncovered rain barrels, unused boats or canoes, tarps, bird baths... I could keep going. All they need is about an inch of water to get busy, so wherever there's stagnant water, just keep getting rid of it.

Declutter Your Backyard

Mosquitoes like to hide in particular places before they swoop in and go for the bite. Tires are a hot spot since they not only carry water, but also provide insulation. Rid your yard of any tires, and while you're at it, clean up piles of fallen leaves, grass or wood. And again - dispose of any kinds of containers that could potentially fill with water (especially if it could rain).

Keep Lawn & Shrubbery Trimmed

Back to my point on hiding places; the number one place that backyard mosquitoes will hide in is vegetation. They also feed on plant nectar (when the females aren't sucking your blood, of course), so they tend to kill a lot of time in tall grasses or bushy areas.

Well before your guests arrive, mow your grass and trim hedges, shrubs or trees to reduce mosquito populations in your backyard.

Set Up An Outdoor Fan

Here's a little secret: mosquitoes suck at flying. Having an outdoor fan on will hinder their performance, making it harder for them to reach their target. So before you start partying the night away, set up an outdoor fan or two where your guests will be. Even if it's set to low, the breeze will make it difficult for mosquitoes to fly up and bite your buddies.

Don't Wear Dark Colours... and Definitely Not Blue!

Consider the size of mosquitoes. With their tiny little eyes, it makes sense that certain colours stand out to them more. Research shows that mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours, so it might be a good idea to opt for a more pastel tone yourself. If you're keen on theme parties (who isn't?) you could go all out and ask your guests to wear a particular colour... with the secret intention of saving them from bites!

Yellow, baby pink, or - if you dare - why not all-white? But whatever you do, don't choose blue. It's one of their favourite colours, which explains why those dodgy mosquito zappers usually have a blue light.

Try Professional Barrier Protection

We could've said this first, but we didn't want to be biased!

For a foolproof way to a mosquito-free home, talk to a professional mosquito control company. Licensed technicians can spray your place in advance to make sure no uninvited guests turn up at party time.

A full season of barrier protection is the best way to ensure mosquitoes don't gatecrash your party. Our technicians visit every 21 days to keep them away, and with two barrier control options (an all-natural garlic or a highly effective synthetic option), you won't need to worry about any other strategies to keep them from biting your family and friends.