5 Ways to Deal With Ankle-Biting Mosquitoes in San Diego

Summer might be great, but ankle-biting mosquitoes can turn outdoor fun into an itchy nightmare.

How can you protect yourself from these persistent pests? Keep reading and learn effective strategies to keep mosquito bites at bay.

Key Takeaways

• Planting mosquito-repellent plants in your yard can help keep ankle-biting mosquitoes away.
• Getting rid of standing water around your home is important to stop mosquitoes from laying eggs.
• Using mosquito sprays with ingredients like DEET can protect you from getting bitten.
• Hiring professional pest control can give you relief from mosquitoes, especially during the peak season.

1. Grow Mosquito-Repellent Plants in Your Garden

Using mosquito-repellent plants is a natural way to deter ankle-biter mosquitoes in San Diego. These plants emit scents that mosquitoes find unpleasant, helping to keep mosquito bites at bay.

Citronella grass, with its strong scent, effectively deters mosquitoes. Catnip, which contains the compound nepetalactone, can also keep these pests at bay.

While they can help keep these pests at bay, they are most effective with other methods.

2. Remove Standing Water Around Your Property

Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water sources, from a bottle cap to a saucer under a flower pot. Removing these breeding grounds is crucial to reducing the number of invasive Aedes mosquitoes around your home.

You can start by emptying birdbaths frequently and refilling them with fresh water—this simple step can make a big difference.

Remember your gutters. They should be cleaned regularly to ensure water flows freely so they don’t create a perfect mosquito breeding ground.

3. Set Up Mosquito Traps in Strategic Locations

Various mosquito traps are available to help keep your home and yard mosquito-free. Propane traps are particularly effective in luring species like Aedes albopictus. Others on the list include UV light, CO2, and sticky traps.

Their success depends on proper placement while used with other preventive measures.

4. Use Mosquito-Repellent Sprays and Lotions

Applying mosquito-repellent sprays and lotions can provide immediate relief from ankle-biter mosquitoes. These products form a protective barrier on your skin to prevent species like the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Consider the following active ingredients recommended by the CDC:

• DEET
• Picaridin
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

5. Schedule Regular Professional Pest Control Treatments

Professional pest control treatments can reduce mosquito populations. These experts use specialized techniques and products that target larvae and adult mosquitoes.

Professional mosquito treatments offer several advantages that can impact your mosquito control efforts. One of the biggest benefits is the plans tailored for long-term protection throughout the mosquito season. 

For example, they can use larvicides to target mosquito larvae, stopping them from maturing into biting adults.

When to Call a Professional Mosquito Control

If you love spending evenings in your San Diego backyard but have recently been attacked by aggressive ankle-biting mosquitoes, consider contacting pest control.

These pests are relentless, and your DIY sprays may not cut it. Besides mosquitoes, do you need help with other general pests, such as fleas, bed bugs, and termites? Contact us today for a free estimate!