Mosquitoes are one of the more annoying pests found in Southern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. All it takes is one bite to ruin your night. That bite may also swell, itchy, and leave you feeling unwell, especially if you have a mosquito allergy. While they love outdoor spaces and are usually found in and around your yard, they can also come inside. You may find mosquitoes living in your Bensalem garage. Find out why they picked your garage and what you can do about them.
WHAT CAUSES MOSQUITOES TO ENTER YOUR GARAGE?
Mosquitoes invade garages for the same reason they come into your home: it offers the environment they prefer. Would you rather sit outside where it's hot and muggy or relax inside with the AC running? Garages are warm but not too warm and provide moisture and darkness. Once they get inside, they reproduce and make the problem even bigger.
It doesn't take much to give them access easier. Mosquitoes are small enough that they can slip inside through the smallest of cracks or openings. Every time you open any of your garage doors, more of the bugs will find their way inside. Standing water is another reason you have a mosquito infestation. Puddles and other water sources attract mosquitoes to your yard. They then view your garage as a safe place to live.
HOW TO REMOVE A MOSQUITO INFESTATION FROM YOUR GARAGE
While removing a mosquito infestation from your garage isn't easy, it is possible. Zika is just one of the diseases the insects carry. It takes just one bite for the bug to transmit the disease and make you sick. Those with certain medical conditions are even more susceptible to mosquito-borne diseases, such as those with diabetes or weakened immune systems. Children and the elderly have a higher risk of suffering from one of these diseases, too. These steps can also help We recommend you rid your garage of mosquitoes.
REMOVE STANDING WATER TO DISCOURAGE MOSQUITO EGG LAYING
Start with the removal of any standing water outside, especially those near your garage. Female mosquitoes lay eggs in a few inches of water or less. This creates a breeding cycle where the eggs hatch, develop into adults, and start the cycle over again. Taking just 15 minutes a week to remove any standing water you see will prevent the mosquitoes from breeding and laying more eggs.
Start with any water you see during an initial sweep of your yard, such as puddles or drainage areas. You can then focus on anything that collects water, including buckets, planters, kids' toys, old tires or car parts, and empty containers. Check your gutters as clogs cause water to back up inside of them. Get rid of anything you no longer need and tip over any vessels to drain the water inside at least once a week.
If you have a lot of planters and/or outdoor containers, invest in mesh screens. As long as the holes are small enough, mosquitoes cannot get through to lay their eggs. Check your swimming pool, too. Even if you just have a pool for your kids or pets, the water inside will attract mosquitoes and give them the perfect spot to lay their eggs. Though it's a hassle, empty the water at the end of the day and refill it the next time you use a small pool. For larger pools, look for chemical products that kill and repel mosquitoes.
CLEANING YOUR GARAGE TO REMOVE MOSQUITOES
Many Bensalem area homes use their garages for both vehicle protection and storage. The chances are good you have a garage full of things you don't have room for inside and things you rarely use. From holiday decorations and keepsakes to old clothing and lawn tools, all of that clutter makes getting a mosquito infestation under control much harder. Even if you use the right chemicals or hire us to treat your garage, one application isn't enough. Mosquitoes can hide in old boxes and use other clutter to avoid the chemicals.
Cleaning your garage will remove mosquitoes, but it can take some time. Invest in some solid plastic totes to replace old cardboard boxes. Make sure they have lids to keep out mosquitoes and other pests. Remove everything from your garage first, setting it on your driveway or lawn. Work through one section at a time to stay on track. Slowly group like items together and place them inside your new totes. It's also helpful to clean the items to ensure they're free of bugs.
To avoid confusion later, boxes should be labeled. Write on the top or the side what you placed inside. Make sure the boxes that have similar items wind up in the same area of your garage. Taking everything out of your garage also helps you identify the points they used to get inside.
REPAIRING GARAGE ENTRY POINTS TO PREVENT MOSQUITOES
Making needed repairs can help mosquitoes from entering. Using the right door with no gaps below and keeping any food out of your garage will help. Getting rid of entry points is one of the best ways to prevent mosquitoes from getting in your garage. Bensalem is one of the many regions with a freeze-thaw cycle in winter. This causes the walls of your garage to expand and contract as the temperature rises and drops. The cracks left behind are big enough for mosquitoes and other pests to slip through.
Caulk is a good way to repair cracks, but you can also use expanding foam. Remove anything in front of the crack and clean it with some warm water and mild soap. After the surface dries, insert the tip of the caulk gun into the crack and squeeze the trigger. You'll want to stop before the caulk begins dripping down the wall. If you use expanding foam, it will expand as it sets to cover more of the crack. Now is also a good time to replace any broken windows or window screens. Hardware stores sell new mesh screens and screen repair kits that are easy to use.
SETTING A MOSQUITO TRAP INSIDE OF A GARAGE
Mosquito traps work both inside and outside of your garage. Any hardware store should have a few. Some traps use UV lights that allegedly attract mosquitoes. When they get close to the light, the trap's fans pull them inside. DIY traps use things you have around the house or you buy. One method calls for brewer's yeast and sugar, which you mix with water and pour into a bottle with the lid upside down. The sugar attracts the mosquitoes, but once they get inside, they cannot get out.
Another remedy some of our clients shared with us is a trap made from a mesh screen and dirty water. While the holes in the mesh are small enough for the mosquitoes to slip through, they aren't big enough for pregnant females or well-fed mosquitoes to get out. You can use a combo of traps and still not get rid of a mosquito problem in your garage.
HOW TO GET RID OF MOSQUITOES IN YOUR CAR
The C02 your car produces attracts mosquitoes. They can thrive off any soda or other drinks you leave behind and attack when you least inspect it. Mosquitoes can also climb on your clothing and follow you inside in the same way fleas and other insects do. Body heat and strong odors, such as car deodorizers and perfumes may also attract mosquitoes.
Cleaning and using repellents are the best way to get rid of mosquitoes in your car. Try to clean your vehicle at least once a week, getting rid of any foods or drinks that attract them. Apply chemical repellents every few days to both the interior and exterior of your car. Keeping the windows closed may help, too. Leaving the windows open gives mosquitoes easy access to your car. If your vehicle has AC, don't be afraid to run it. Mosquitoes prefer hot and warm climates. When the cabin or interior is cool, they are less attracted to your car.
CONTACT A CERTIFIED MOSQUITO PROFESSIONAL
Newton Termite & Pest Control understands how you feel about mosquitoes. Once they find a way into your garage, they can also gain access to your home and car. A major infestation can prove extremely hard to handle on your own. Just when you think you got the problem managed, you find even more mosquitoes. Our remedies begin with an inspection. Using the products and methods, we create a barrier around your property.
