Don't Let Mosquitoes Be the Uninvited Guests at Your Summer BBQ!

Summer in San Tan Valley brings joy to many with its glorious sunshine and backyard barbecues, but with it comes the pesky arrival of mosquitoes. These little party crashers, who seem to have mastered the art of stealth biting, are the unwanted plus ones to your summer events. Not only are they annoying, but they also pose health risks with diseases like West Nile Virus. So, let's get down to business and find out how to give mosquitoes the boot this summer.

Understand The Enemy
Mosquitoes might just have two settings: bite and breed. They love stagnant water, which is like a five-star resort for their breeding purposes. If you're not interested in running a mosquito daycare, it's time to take action!

Tip 1: Evict Them from Their Mini-Resorts
Go around your yard and make sure there's no standing water – not in plant saucers, not in old tires, and definitely not in that forgotten kiddie pool behind the shed. Make sure to change the water in bird baths frequently, unless you think the birds enjoy sharing their baths with mosquito larvae (spoiler: they don't).

Tip 2: Let There Be (Less) Light
These little vampires are attracted to light. Swap out your standard porch lights for yellow bug lights. They're not as attractive to mosquitoes. You'll be enjoying your evenings outside, while the mosquitoes are off somewhere, having an identity crisis, wondering where all the cool lights went.

Tip 3: Breeze Through Your Evenings
Literally. Mosquitoes are terrible fliers. A gentle breeze can leave them stranded. Position fans around your sitting area. You'll not only keep cool but also watch mosquitoes battle the wind like a bad comedy act.

Tip 4: Scent Them Away
Citronella, lavender, and peppermint, oh my! Use plants and candles with these scents around your yard. Your yard will smell like an enchanting garden, while the mosquitoes will turn up their noses and buzz off.

Tip 5: Dress for Success (In Keeping Mosquitoes Away)
Wear light-colored clothing. Mosquitoes are more attracted to dark clothing. Who knew mosquitoes had a dress code?

Tip 6: Team Up With Natural Predators
Invest in a bat house or encourage dragonflies to your garden. Both are natural predators of mosquitoes. Besides, having bats and dragonflies as allies just sounds cool, doesn't it?

A Friendly Reminder
While it's fun to get creative in mosquito warfare, don't forget the classics. Make sure to stock up on insect repellent with DEET for extra protection.

Now that you're armed with these tips, it's time to reclaim your backyard. Host that summer BBQ and relish the satisfaction of knowing the mosquitoes weren't on the guest list.

So, San Tan Valley, let's make this summer less about scratching and more about laughing, grilling, and making memories. To mosquitoes, we say, "Not in our backyard!"

Happy summer!