Standing water can function mosquito breeding grounds, and all that spring rain has created an interesting habitat for them throughout Massachusetts, in response to Kaitlyn O’Donnell, an entomologist on the Norfolk County Mosquito Management District.So, what are best methods to maintain the pests away? We requested the consultants.Get Globe Climate ForecastYour important each day forecast, delivered each day at 6:30 am. First, do away with any standing waterThe primary advice is to do away with standing water round your property, in response to O’Donnell. Outdated flower pots amassing rainwater? Plastic toys and buckets within the youngsters’ sandbox? Dump that water out and put the stuff away.Mosquitoes “don’t want very a lot water in any respect to breed,” O’Donnell mentioned. “It may be plenty of larva in an overturned bottle cap.”Jonathan Boyar, proprietor and principal entomologist at Ecologic Entomology, a Boston pest administration firm, mentioned mosquitoes will be present in shocking locations, together with gutters and even an air-conditioning compressor on the roof of a constructing.The reality is even in case you flip over the lid to your rubbish can, there are tiny ridges and pockets the place mosquitoes can breed, so O’Donnell additionally recommends utilizing Bti, an Environmental Safety Company-approved pesticide that targets mosquito, blackfly, and fungus gnat larvae in areas the place water collects.Arrange a powerful fan (or two)Seems, mosquitoes aren’t sturdy fliers, and an excellent fan can blow them away, in response to O’Donnell. Organising followers, significantly angled towards the wind, can deter mosquitoes from reaching a specific space, she mentioned.So strive a few highly effective followers in your deck or porch. They might make your out of doors expertise this summer time rather more nice (and bug free).Mosquitoes “actually are fairly weak flyers, so simply utilizing that to your benefit and enjoying round with placement to see what works,” O’Donnell mentioned.Introduce native vegetation in your yard Avoiding a “monoculture” garden with a single sort of grass may assist forestall the pests, mentioned Man, of Westford, who holds bug courses and occasions by means of his Professor Bugman Entomology Adventures.“It comes again to the concept of prevention by means of disrupting standing water sources, in addition to encouraging the expansion of extra numerous native areas, like pollinator gardens,” Man mentioned. “It’s prettier when all of the flowers come out. You see lovely animals like hummingbirds and native bugs that you simply forgot had been even right here, and even higher, it’s simpler than lawns.”Pollinator gardens “handle themselves,” Man mentioned, and create an ecosystem. When individuals destroy pure habitats and construct their lawns, mosquitoes have “particularly advanced” to reap the benefits of these areas and breed inside them, he mentioned.Man’s favourite native plant species is mountain mints, which boast small white flowers, and raspberry and blueberry bushes “for a bit deal with,” he mentioned. Residents can examine the Wild Seed Challenge to seek out the perfect native species to plant of their space.Restore all of your screensThe key to holding flying bugs out of the home (or enclosed out of doors porch areas) is to restore broken window or door screens, in response to the state’s Division of Public Well being.If you happen to’re useful, buy a display restore equipment on Amazon or at your native house enchancment retailer and do it your self. If not, loads of native {hardware} shops will do it for you.Use bug spray … and keep away from peak hoursThere isn’t any answer that may utterly do away with mosquitos, consultants say, however carrying a correct repellant is useful. The EPA gives a search device on its web site to seek out the perfect one for you. Some must be utilized on the pores and skin whereas others must be used on clothes, O’Donnell mentioned.The state’s Division of Public Well being additionally recommends carrying lengthy sleeves and lengthy pants, and scheduling out of doors actions to keep away from hours from nightfall to daybreak.Individuals over 50 or those that are immunocompromised ought to alter out of doors exercise to keep away from peak mosquito hours, in response to the Metropolis of Boston. Older age is a threat issue for elevated susceptibility to West Nile virus, in response to a examine by means of the Nationwide Institutes of Well being.If you wish to use chemical substances, discover the correct pest companyBoyar, whose firm takes a “holistic strategy” to pest management, together with chemical mosquito spraying and nonchemical merchandise and suggestions, mentioned shoppers ought to “interview” completely different pest corporations to seek out the correct one for his or her wants.Boyar hesitates to suggest one chemical product particularly since each property, location, and state of affairs differs, however he mentioned he’s discovered that plenty of pure merchandise “actually haven’t hit the mark,” he mentioned.That mentioned, when spraying for mosquitoes with chemical substances, pest management corporations and cities ought to work within the early morning hours earlier than the solar comes up and bugs “begin getting busy,” he mentioned. They need to additionally keep away from spraying on windy days and spraying into flowers in bloom, which might kill pollinators he mentioned.“There’s a time and a spot for chemical substances,” Boyar mentioned. “I’ve by no means met a house owner who was towards using chemical substances as soon as they bought bedbugs of their bed room.”Wait a minute. What about citronella candles and bug zappers?Whereas citronella candles odor good, they aren’t significantly efficient at holding mosquitoes at bay. Bug zappers, in contrast, are a bit too efficient — and kill any bugs, even ones we want and need in our yards.“These issues have plenty of variability in effectiveness,” O’Donnell mentioned, noting Citronella has not been efficient in repelling mosquitoes in research. “So far as the traps and zappers, I personally don’t suggest them as a result of the zappers will kill something, and I’m actually centered on making an attempt to eradicate mosquitoes and never different bugs that we wish to have round.”Ava Berger will be reached at ava.berger@globe.com. Comply with her @Ava_Berger_.