Mosquitoes are common pests in Singapore due to the country’s tropical climate. In November 2020, Singapore witnessed a record of more than 34,400 Dengue cases. As of November 1, this year, NEA has reported 19 active cases in the country.
As the Dengue season draws near, it’s important to know how to combat mosquito infestation at home. But first, you need to understand the possible causes of mosquito infestation in order to employ the appropriate mosquito control services strategies.
Causes of Mosquito Infestation
There are several reasons why mosquitoes may be flocking to your home. These include:
- Poor Home Maintenance
During the wet season, it’s easy to overlook home conditions that can attract mosquitoes to your property. For instance, because of your hectic lifestyle and busy schedule, you might not have time to address home concerns like broken drains, leaking pipes, or home clutter that can potentially invite mosquitoes.Neglecting housekeeping and proper home maintenance can create a dirty environment where mosquitoes and other pests can breed and thrive. Pests are drawn to places with moisture, food source, and shelter. So, when they find an unclean space filled with dirt and clutter, they flock towards it. - Poor Plant Management
Another possible reason why you have mosquitoes at home is poor plant management. Much like leaking pipes and broken drains, plants are a good source of food and moisture. That said, when you leave a puddle on your potted plants and balconies, you invite mosquitoes into your home. As such, it’s crucial to drain flower trays and change the water in the vase regularly. - Weather
Besides these, the weather also plays an important role in the prevalence of mosquitoes. Generally, they thrive during the rainy season. However, they also enjoy the warm seasons. For this reason, Singapore has become an ideal destination for mosquitoes to breed.Because the weather is not something you can control, employing pest control for home is essential to keep mosquitoes at bay.
How to Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
Cost-Effective Ways to Get Rid of Mosquitoes at Home
To protect yourself from mosquito bites and prevent them from infesting your homes, here are effective solutions you can employ to keep mosquitoes away.
- Fix Existing Gaps At Home
As they say, the best solution to any problem is prevention. So, before mosquitoes appear inside your home, you need to block possible entrances by fixing any gaps they can enter into.For example, if you have a broken window screen, be sure to repair them immediately. On the other hand, if you find small gaps in your doors or window sills, be sure to seal them tight by investing in simple door or window strips. Although these are simple methods, they are highly effective in preventing mosquitoes from entering your home. - Use Essential Oils
In instances where mosquitoes are already present, you can use essential oils to repel them.Essential oils like lavender, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree have a potent scent that effectively drives mosquitoes away. As opposed to traditional pesticides, essential oils are just as effective while being natural and safe. In addition, they emit a pleasant smell at home.What’s more, essential oils are versatile. You can use them as a diffuser, spray, or body oil to repel mosquitoes. They’re also affordable and easily accessible.
- Burn Used Coffee Grounds
Another natural outdoor mosquito repellent is coffee grounds.After brewing yourself a cup of coffee in the morning, you can save the used coffee grounds rather than throw them away.Similar to the essential oils, coffee grounds emit a strong smell that mosquitoes dislike. When you burn them, the smell becomes stronger, and therefore more effective as a repellent. Apart from the smell, the smoke also dissuades mosquitoes. This is because most insects–including mosquitoes–associate smoke and fumes with danger. So when they sense it, they immediately try to find a safe place to find shelter.
- Apply Mosquito Nets And Traps
Using nets and traps is useful, especially in highly-infested areas. Generally, people situate these traps near entry points like windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Seek Professional Pest Control Singapore Services
For severe cases, it’s recommended to call professional pest control services in Singapore to get rid of mosquitoes safely and effectively. They provide measures to root out the cause of the infestation and adopt the necessary treatment to eliminate the problem permanently.
