Since the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged much of the world, many homeowners are able to (and are enjoying) working from home but when the weather warms up, mosquitoes come out to play – making it challenging to enjoy the perks of working from home.
If even one mosquito gets inside the house as homeowners take their pets outside, take a break to appreciate the sunshine, or grab the mail over lunch – the unwanted house guests can quickly turn a productive work day into a complete distraction.
Whether trucking the laptop out to the patio to view the big presentation or staying indoors to work on a project, mosquitoes become a threat to any property owner’s happiness. There are only a few options to keep those blood-sucking pests at bay:
- Ignore them completely
- Deal with the increasing number of bites
- DO SOMETHING about it
So, how do you work at home and avoid being eaten alive by pesky mosquitoes? If the infestation is a major issue, a good option is to contact a mosquito exterminator. The experts can quickly eliminate the problem and conduct weekly/monthly visits to ensure your home is pest-free.
For mild cases of mosquitoes, consider these five techniques to prevent “mosquito bite torture” while working from home this season.
Mosquito Repellent
Many homeowners go straight to applying mosquito (and other bugs) repellent, including oil-based products and DEET, to keep those pests from making you their lunch – even inside the home.
Be sure to read all directions and warning labels as some oil of lemon eucalyptus repellents are not safe for young children under three years of age; however, DEET-based sprays used to treat the skin have no age restrictions. If in case you are in a dilemma just don’t risk your family’s health and safety and better to hire a professional service.
Use caution when applying to the face and around the ears – repellents are a form of pesticide.
Depending on how attractive you are to mosquitoes, you may find the effectiveness of repellent sprays or lotions less than ideal. Please apply using the manufacturer’s directions for personal safety.
Landscape with the Purpose of Repelling Mosquitoes
Some plants and shrubs naturally repel mosquitoes from the property and keep you safe while working at home. Lavender, Lemongrass, and Marigolds are effective techniques to both beautify your home’s exterior and keep mosquitoes away and keep them from entering your home.
Set Up Mosquito Traps
Bug Zappers can be effective, but for some homeowners, they can be a bit of an eyesore and make a distracting noise when passing each mosquito. Alternatively, mix ½ cup of brown sugar with ½ cup of boiling water, let it cool, and funnel it into the bottom half of a plastic soda bottle. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of dry yeast over the sweet water. Turn the top half of the soda bottle upside down and set it in the bottom half to create a trap that mosquitoes can’t get enough of.
Set the bottle in an area where it will not spill and attract pests to a different part of the home, and keep your workday free from mosquitoes.
Maintain the Property to Prevent the Infestation
Standing water is the perfect place for mosquitoes to breed, and if you’re not one to inspect the outside of your home during every season, you may not have noticed all the places water can accumulate. Partially blocked gutters, bird baths, flower pots without proper drainage, and low spots in the lawn are all places that mosquitoes flock to and call home.
Tall grass, moist leaf piles, and brush are the perfect place for mosquitoes to take a breather. Be sure to mow and tend to your lawn often to avoid creating a mosquito rest area. Trimming the grass also allows the sun to dry out any of those wet spots.
Inspect windows, doors, and screens for any holes or cracks small enough for mosquitoes to enter. Repair them promptly because taking care of the outside of the property helps you to enjoy the inside, too.
Lesser-Known Tips to Keep Mosquitoes at Bay
Surprisingly, red cedar mulch in your beautiful flower beds can also repel mosquitoes and other insects – especially near windows and doors. Using an oscillating fan while you’re working can keep you (and your laptop) nice and cool while also keeping those buggers from getting close enough to bite.
Instead of chucking your old coffee grounds from your morning cup of coffee, sprinkle 25-day-old grounds over any damp spots in your lawn – especially in areas where you can’t get rid of water accumulation (like under plants). As a bonus, coffee grounds can also nourish your plants.
