The monsoon season may feel good with the constant rain. The weather is cool and most people want to stay outside all the time. Regular rain often results in stagnant water. Drops of rain collect in different areas. This is what mosquitoes love apart from having regular blood meals. Even the tiniest amount of standing water is ideal for egg-laying. That is why repelling them is crucial.
After days of continuous rain, stagnant water usually collects around your home. If there are leaks inside your home, then they are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes as well. Vigilance is the key but what can you do to repel mosquitoes from your property during monsoon season? Here are the details.
Mosquitoes in the Rain
Believe it or not, mosquitoes are weak flyers. Even during monsoon season, they can still fly around. They are just limited because of the excess moisture. As weak flyers, they can still slowly navigate their way through the raindrops easily. When a raindrop hits a mosquito, it recovers and flies away. The small size of mosquitoes allows them to survive the impact of falling rainwater.
When Mosquitoes Hatch During Monsoon Season
Monsoon season means constant rain. This is the time when mosquitoes start to lay eggs and hatch at massive rates. A mosquito egg takes one to two days to hatch. Then, the mosquito develops and flies away to feed either on plants or on blood.
Female mosquitoes need to nourish their eggs with blood meals. Once they are ready, they will find the right area with standing water to lay their eggs. The tiniest amount of stagnant water is enough to carry mosquito eggs until they hatch. It will not take that long before the new mosquitoes emerge. When they do, they often swarm in places that are not kept clean after it rains.
The Hiding Places
During monsoon season, mosquitoes tend to hide in many strategic areas until the rain stops. They can hide under stocked items and leaves in the yard. They also search for dark areas. Seeking these hiding places protects them from drowning in heavy rain. A bare patio without screen protection is a good place to hide. You may notice mosquitoes resting there when it is raining.
Getting Rid of Mosquitoes After It Rains
When there is humidity and rain, you can expect more mosquitoes to fly around. The females will keep trying to get their blood meals. If they succeed and their eggs fully develop, they will lay their eggs in stagnant water. The most important thing you can do during this monsoon season is to prevent the female mosquitoes from having good areas to lay their eggs. Here are some pointers to consider:
- Close your windows and doors all the time. During monsoon season, humidity gets high. Mosquitoes find this an ideal time to breed. It is ideal to keep the windows and doors closed especially at dawn and at night. This can help protect you from mosquito-borne diseases.
- Remove stagnant water. Any amount of standing water is enough for female mosquitoes to breed. Unused pots, garbage bins, and even bottle caps can house developing mosquito eggs until they hatch. Make sure to invert or throw away these receptacles. Doing so removes the eggs and larvae. Disinfect as well. The scent of cleanliness can keep mosquitoes away.
- Apply mosquito repellent creams and sprays. Coating your skin with repellents can give you a layer of protection and keep mosquitoes away. You can also wear repellent wristbands and patches.
Other Practices
Here are other practices you can consider:
- Use camphor products. The scent of camphor repels mosquitoes. These insects simply do not like its smell. Placing camphor-based products on a heated surface can activate the scent more.
- Use natural shrubs and plants. You can surround your home with mosquito-repelling plants like citronella. Remember to agitate their leaves first so that they can release their odors and repel mosquitoes.
- Eat more garlic or use it as a repellent. Studies show that people who eat garlic often are not that attractive to mosquitoes. You can crush garlic and mix it with water. Spraying this garlic solution can keep skeeters away during monsoon season.
Protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites during monsoon season can protect you from mosquito-borne diseases. With the constant rain, you can keep safe by cleaning your surroundings regularly. Using all available repellents can add more protection during and after heavy rains.
