Ultimate Expert Guide to Eliminate Mosquitoes from your Home

There's nothing worse than being exhausted after a long tiring day, only to be kept awake by buzzing in your ears. But the buzzing is not coming from a fly (or the TV next door). It's coming from blood-thirsty mosquitoes that are making you miserable and driving you crazy!

During the rainy season in Singapore, insects and pests are an even more significant issue. Mosquitoes, in particular, are extremely irritating and can make life difficult. They make it hard to enjoy being outside your house and can ruin holidays and even work when you get too many mosquito bites.

Wondering why much has been talked about when it comes to killing and preventing mosquitoes? Mosquitoes have been considered pests for decades. One of the main reasons is their ability to spread dangerous diseases such as Dengue.

Effective Ways to Control Mosquitoes and Keep Mosquitoes Away

Mosquitoes are certainly not welcome visitors in our homes.
But how can we eliminate them? 

Understanding the different species of mosquitoes and taking the appropriate steps to combat them effectively is an important endeavour that homeowners can only benefit from.

From natural remedies to larvicide, mosquito fogging and misting, this article will cover the effectiveness of these mosquito control methods and whether they’re suitable for your situation.

Tried everything but still can’t get rid of mosquitoes? Let the professionals help.

Identify the Type of Mosquitoes that are Causing Your Problem

Typically, female mosquitoes are the ones that feed on blood and are responsible for spreading mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya, malaria, Zika virus, etc. Identifying the different types of mosquitoes causing you problems and understanding how they reproduce and live can help you develop effective control and elimination strategies. 

There are 3 common mosquito species that cause problems for people in Singapore: Aedes, Anopheles and Culex.

Aedes mosquitoes are vectors of dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika virus. There are several species of Aedes mosquitoes in Singapore, each with its own unique characteristics, but all have the following in common:

• They can breed both inside and outside of homes
• They bite during the day and night
• They prefer to bite humans, but also feed on other animals if humans are not available (such as monkeys)

Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria. The main mosquito species that transmit malaria in Singapore is Anopheles sundaicus, which is nocturnal. This means it bites between dusk and dawn, when people are generally sleeping indoors and unlikely to use insect repellent. They also prefer to feed on humans rather than on other animals.

Culex mosquitoes transmit Japanese Encephalitis (JE). There are many different species of Culex mosquitoes around the world, and they vary in their biting times (some bite during the day while others bite at night). All Culex mosquitoes have a wide range of animal hosts they feed on – including birds, monkeys and rats.

Select the Right Insecticide for your Mosquito Control Programme

To better control mosquitoes, you need to know what type of mosquito is present. This will allow you to select a specific insecticide to target that particular species of mosquito. For example, if the Aedes mosquito is present in your areas, you can use an insecticide that has high toxicity to the Aedes species.

With so many brands of insecticides in Singapore, it can be confusing to select one that is effective against mosquitoes. Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice:

Look for the right types of active ingredients. Organophosphates and pyrethroids are the most common types of insecticide used in Singapore's mosquito control programmes. Pyrethroids are made from synthetic chemicals derived from natural pyrethroid chemicals found in chrysanthemum flowers; they are typically odourless, colourless and non-staining. While organophosphates can be converted into chemicals that disrupt an insect's nervous system, causing its death.

Check for the correct application method. Insecticides come in different forms of application - aerosol, mosquito fogging or spraying. The right method will depend on the extent of the infestation and the specific areas that need to be treated. Aerosol canisters, for instance, only work best in smaller areas, while fogging machines are suitable for large outdoor areas such as gardens and parks.

Ensure that there is no risk of secondary poisoning from using an insecticide. Secondary poisoning refers to the unintentional killing of animals (such as dogs, cats and birds etc.) by feeding on poisoned insects.

If you are not familiar with these types of pesticides, then it may be best to consult a professional pest control company. They will be able to provide you with advice on which products are most suitable for your home, and they will also be able to help you understand how to apply the products correctly.

A few ways to control mosquitoes in your home include:

• Use an effective and fast-acting mosquito killer
• Ensure a good airflow in your home to keep mosquitoes away
• Use essential oil to repel mosquitoes
• Get rid of stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding
• Spray insecticide around your home to get rid of mosquitoes and other insects
• Set up mozzie traps or electric mosquito killer machines at home 
• Fix broken screens or install new insect screens on doors and windows

A mosquito bite causes an itchy bump that can become infected if you scratch it. Insect repellents can be used on your skin and clothing. When applying insect repellent to your skin, follow the directions on the label and only apply to exposed skin. 

• Do not apply insect repellent under your clothes, on broken or irritated skin, or near open wounds.
• Avoid inhaling or getting insect repellent into your eyes and mouth.
• Do not apply insect repellent to your hands, as children may put their hands in their mouths after touching treated skin.

Read more on the general guidelines for the use of mosquito repellents safely.

Effective mosquito control is not an easy feat, but it can be a simple task if you know the right steps to take. The key to a successful mosquito elimination program lies in selecting the right insecticide, or insecticides – if that suits your needs better.

Identify Breeding Sites and Remove or Treat Them

Singapore is known for its tropical climate, making it a haven for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are prevalent here, but they are more than just a nuisance – being one of the top transmitters of diseases to humans and animals. It is advisable to rid your home of mosquitoes before they bite you and make you ill.

The following shows the top 5 Aedes breeding sites in homes in 2021:

• Domestic Containers (Pails)
• Flower Pot Plates / Trays
• Ornamental Containers (Vases)
• Bins (Litter/Refuse/Bulk) 
• Plants (Hardened Soil and Plant Axils)

Mosquitoes require water for breeding, thrive in areas that are dark and humid, and can lay eggs in areas as small as a bottle cap, so it's important to take measures to reduce the problem of mosquitoes at home.

Here are some tips to keep mosquitoes away from your home:

• Don't leave containers that can collect water outdoors unattended
• Fix roof leaks and drains immediately as rainwater can collect in pots, buckets, and other containers left outside homes
• Change water in pet dishes, birdbaths, and plant pots regularly
• Keep your gutters clean
• Eliminate shaded places
• Use mosquito repellent coils and electronic repellent devices to chase away these pests
• Keep your house well-ventilated
• Seal up gaps or holes on doors, windows and screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home
• Use insect-repelling plants and natural items in your surroundings

As a rule of thumb, look for pools of standing water near your home and eliminate them, if possible. Treat it with a larvicide such as dunks or bits if you can’t remove the water. You should also look for other sources of standing water, including birdbaths, pet bowls and buckets. Empty them or change the water often. It's imperative to do this after a rainstorm, when mosquitoes are more likely to be laying eggs.

For more preventative measures, see this checklist for a mozzie-free home.

Engage a Professional Exterminator and End your Mosquito Problem for Good

No one should have to suffer or be inconvenienced by mosquitoes. You've probably tried everything to combat the pesky little buggers – from sprays to incense and citronella candles, yet mosquito problems still persist? Then it is time to finally call a professional exterminator to take care of the problem once and for all.

One of the most effective ways to control mosquitoes and keep mosquitoes away in Singapore is by using a professional exterminator. Though some people might try to tackle their own mosquito problem, there are many reasons why it's better to employ a professional.

First, a professional pest control company has access to more powerful chemicals than those available to consumers. This means that you can get rid of mosquitoes and prevent them from returning much more quickly than if you were doing it yourself.

Second, professional exterminators will have the expertise necessary to identify weak areas around your home that may be allowing mosquitoes in. These may be areas you hadn't even considered before, like holes near pipes or cracks in your foundation. An exterminator will also know how to prevent mosquitoes from being able to enter your home in the future.

Finally, hiring an exterminator is generally easier than trying to do it yourself. Though there's no doubt that setting up mosquito traps and spraying chemicals yourself can be time-consuming and challenging work, calling a professional can save you hours of work and frustration. In addition, many exterminators offer recurring services that will ensure that your mosquito problem never comes back again!

Are you sick of mosquitoes? Have you tried your best to get rid of them, but the pesky insects are back again? 

If so, it is time to stop wasting your money on DIY methods and call in the professionals. Here at System Pest Control Services, we offer a wide range of pest control services, including mosquito control solutions from larviciding to mosquito fogging and misting.

Take action to get rid of mosquitoes with our effective pest control treatments & solutions – Contact us today.

Read also: The Ultimate Guide to Mosquito Control in Singapore