Your McAllen Bird Bath Could Be Causing An Increase In Mosquitoes

Your birdbath may attract plenty of pretty local birds, but did you know it could bring mosquitoes in too? Beyond being a nuisance that may leave you with itchy bites, the risk of mosquito-borne illness is a major reason you should keep mosquitoes out of your home and yard. 

Here’s what McAllen residents should know about how birdbaths attract mosquitoes, what you can do to keep mosquitoes out of your birdbath, the best way to kill mosquitoes in your yard with pest control in McAllen, and the most effective form of mosquito control. 

Do Birdbaths Attract Mosquitoes?

Why do mosquitoes love your birdbath? Well, mosquitoes reproduce and breed their young in standing water, which is exactly what birdbaths provide. A birdbath becomes even more attractive to these pests if the water isn’t well-maintained or regularly changed, so they know their young will survive. 

While birds may eat some of the mosquito larvae lying in your birdbath, you can’t count on them as a reliable source of mosquito control. 

Birdbaths are only one example of standing water that mosquitoes will breed in – fountains, decorative ponds, and yard debris that holds water can all attract mosquitoes in the same way, which is why it’s important to make sure you’re limiting these factors in your yard. 

Three Things You Can Do To Keep Mosquitoes Out Of Birdbaths

While you can take the birdbath out of your yard to prevent mosquitoes, you don’t have to. Eliminating mosquitoes doesn’t mean getting rid of your birdbath, but there are ways that you can ensure the birdbath isn’t attracting mosquitoes, such as: 

1. Make sure you regularly change the water: When mosquitoes lay their eggs in a birdbath, those eggs don’t just hatch immediately. Usually, it takes around 10 days for them to become mature, so if you’re changing out the water more regularly than that, it can make a big difference in preventing more mosquitoes. Not only will you get rid of mosquito eggs, but it can also deter new mosquitoes from laying their eggs there. 
2. Try to keep the water moving: Mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs. Even just a small waterfall or aerator can keep the water moving and make it an undesirable place for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. 
3. Try natural remedies in your birdbath: While you may want to steer clear of chemical insecticides that may harm the birds, there are some natural remedies you can try in the water. A teaspoon of cinnamon oil or vegetable oil may kill mosquito larvae on the top of the water. 

Keep in mind that natural remedies like cinnamon oil or vegetable oil need to be reapplied regularly for them to continue working. Reapplying these natural remedies whenever you change the water may help deter mosquitoes looking to use your birdbath as a breeding ground. 

What Is The Best Way To Kill Mosquitoes In My Yard

The best way to kill mosquitoes in your yard is by using a mixture of preventative measures and professional mosquito control from BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control. Some of the natural ways you can deter or kill mosquitoes in Texas include: 

• Get rid of unnecessary standing water sources in your yard, like yard debris capable of holding water or obstructed gutters that need to be cleaned. For standing water sources you’d like to keep, such as your birdbath or fountain, make sure you apply the tips listed above. 
• Plant mosquito repellants in your garden to deter mosquitoes, like citronella, lavender, or rosemary plants. 
• Maintain your lawn by trimming your shrubs and tree branches and mowing your lawn. This will prevent mosquitoes from resting in shady areas like tall grass or weeds. 

Just remember these preventative measures will work best if partnered with professional solutions from BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control.

Effective Mosquito Control for McAllen Residents

Texas mosquitoes can be dangerous, itchy, and annoying – whether you’re constantly fighting them off or you’re temporarily looking to get rid of them for a special event on your McAllen property. Fortunately, you don’t need to do it on your own. BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control can help. 

With experience that dates back almost two decades, our specialists can ensure that we reduce mosquito populations in your McAllen yard. If you are tired of dealing with mosquitoes or you’re just prepping for a tough mosquito season, we’re only one phone call away – contact us today at BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control for more information about how our pest control programs can help you.