It’s that time of year when every time you’re simply trying to enjoy the peace and quiet of the night sky in your own backyard, mosquitoes who refuse to quit won’t leave you alone.
The best way to prevent these blood suckers is to use insect repellent, citronella candles, or even protective clothing.
But if you’re looking to really reinforce the various methods used to prevent mosquitoes, the answer may involve bringing in a different kind of creature to help.
According to Natural Lawn of America, it could be helpful to draw in some mosquito-eating animals, such as birds or bats, to your yard.
By building them a habitat to live in, these animals could help reduce the mosquito population around you. While it may not be drastic, combining these animals with other measures will certainly help to get rid of your mosquito problem.
There are several different types of birds that eat mosquitoes, including Swallows, Purple Martins, Warblers, and many more, according to Oh Deer.
While you may need to get less generic for some of these birds if you’re looking for a specific type, the best way to attract birds to your yard is to provide sources of fresh water in your yard, such as a fountain or a birdbath.
Next, set up a couple of bird feeders in your yard and try to spread them out so that they don’t just stay in one area. Also, try to use different types of seeds in order to attract various birds.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous and want to try to attract some bats, the best method is to build a bat house, says the National Wildlife Federation.
To build a good bat house, it will need to mimic the space between bark and a tree trunk. Meaning, the bat house should have a narrow space inside as bats love tight spaces, as well as the inside being a bit rough so that they can easily climb around it and get a foothold. Finally, it needs to stay warm inside. This can be done by caulking the sides of the house for insulation as well as painting the house a very dark color.
On top of using these creatures and your usual bug sprays, Natural Lawn of America also recommends removing excessive vegetation and changing any standing water that is in your yard every couple of days such as bird baths, flower pots, and drainage pipes, as these are the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.