Your gardens can attract mosquitoes and gnats; you already know this if you live in Arizona. And it is hard for you to sit in your own backyard between the bites, buzzing, and itchy evenings. These tiny pests can make your evening time a battle in your backyard.
You can get rid of gnats and mosquitoes away from your garden in Gilbert. And for that, you don’t have to fog your yard with chemicals or call in a professional every week. With the help from DIY pest control products and a little smart gardening, you can make your garden gnats and mosquitoes free.
In this guide, you can understand the common signs that your garden has gnats and mosquitos and also how to get rid of mosquitoes.
Common Signs of Gnats and Mosquito Infestation in Gardens
We always have the question of why we get these pests at our place, even after having so many professional visits. And some homeowners don’t even realize their garden is infested with pests. These are the common signs that indicate your garden is infected by pests.
- A large group of insects near plants and flowers. Gnats love moisture and decaying material. Mosquitoes hang out near standing water.
- You and your pets will get skin irritation or itchiness. And also bite marks over the body.
- When you see even a few tablespoons of stagnant water, it is possible that mosquitoes are there.
Once you know what to look for, prevention becomes much easier.
Why Gardens Attract Gnats and Mosquitoes
Gilbert's weather makes your gardens grow but it also gives pests the perfect conditions to move in. Here’s what might be attracting them:
1. Standing Water
If you have birdbaths, clogged drains, plant saucers, and fountains filled with dirty water or even semi-clear water, this can easily attract mosquitoes.
Female Mosquitoes lay eggs near water. And after hatching, the eggs become aquatic larvae, and all the other stages are completed in water.
How you can fix it: Empty or refresh water weekly, and try using small water aerators to keep things moving.
Learn more about how to get rid of mosquitoes effectively year-round.
2. Overwatering and Moist Soil
If you are giving water to the plants in excessive quantities, it is not beneficial for plants, and also allows fungus and gnats to grow in damp soil. Overly wet soil gives gnats a place to lay eggs and fungi to feed on.
How can you fix it: Water plants only when the top inch of soil is dry, and consider mixing in sand or perlite for better drainage.
More tips on identifying these pests here: Gnats vs. Mosquitoes.
3. Decaying Organic Matter
If you are dumping the mulch, compost, and fallen leaves in a corner of the garden, it will create a gnat buffet. Even unsealed products and open garbage cans cause them to grow.
How can you fix it: Keep garden beds tidy, turn your compost regularly, and clear out any rotting leaves.
4. Dense Vegetation
If your garden is filled with overgrown shrubs and thick greenery, then it is the best place for mosquitoes to hide. Mosquitoes like to be in humid areas. They grow and lay eggs in humid areas. And a humid environment prevents them from dehydration. You can use pest control products from Bug & Weed Mart.
How you can fix it: Trim and thin dense plants to improve airflow. It helps your plants and discourages pests.
Gardening Tips to Keep Gnats and Mosquitoes Away
Gnats and mosquitoes not only bring skin irritations or some bite marks, these pests bring so many diseases. You need to keep them away from you and your garden. These tips will help you keep gnats and mosquitoes away.
1. Choose Pest-Repelling Plants
There are so many plants that have fragrances that keep the insects away. These plants are beautiful and naturally pest-repelling. Some of these plants are:
- Citronella – it is a classic mosquito repellent.
- Lavender – they smell amazing to us and keep mosquitoes away.
- Basil – these are fresh for your kitchen, and bugs hate it.
- Marigolds – they are bright flowers that repel both mosquitoes and gnats.
- Catnip – it is a powerful mosquito deterrent.
You can place these plants around seating areas or near doorways. This will give you maximum protection.
2. DIY Natural Sprays and Repellents
You should stop relying on harsh chemicals and make your own simple DIY pest control spray using essential oils or natural ingredients:
- Add water to a spray bottle and mix with lemongrass, peppermint, or eucalyptus oil.
- You can try garlic or neem-based garden sprays for natural pest control in Arizona that’s safe for plants and soil. If you don’t know the correct balance of ingredients, then stop worrying. You can also find reliable DIY pest control sprays and products right at Bug & Weed Mart.
3. Eliminate Standing Water
Standing water helps the mosquitoes to grow. You can adapt these habits to keep them away.
- You should refresh birdbaths and fountains weekly.
- Adding small pebbles or stones to plant saucers to prevent water from pooling.
4. Maintain Clean Garden Beds
A clean garden is a pest-free garden. Regularly:
- Rake out fallen leaves.
- Remove decayed mulch and debris.
- Aerate soil to keep it dry and healthy.
5. Use Physical Barriers and Traps
- Sticky traps near plants help reduce gnats.
- Mosquito dunks in standing water (like fountains) stop mosquito larvae before they hatch, and they’re safe for pets and kids.
Conclusion
Your garden doesn’t require a lot more effort to keep gnats and mosquitoes away from your garden. You need little consistency. And by managing moisture and keeping your place clean and tidy, you can make your garden pest free. You can also use pest-repelling plants and a few DIY sprays to help you better. And then you don’t have to think about how to get rid of gnats.
Gilbert homeowners have been turning to Bug & Weed Mart for decades for DIY pest control tips, tools, and friendly advice.
Visit one of our Valley locations or explore our site for safe, effective solutions to every pest problem from mosquitoes to scorpions.