You want to enjoy the great outdoors and all that Hawaii's natural landscapes have to offer. Just one little pest can turn an enjoyable trek in nature into a nightmare: the mosquito.
Identifying a mosquito problem and learning ways to prevent the annoying pest from inhabiting spaces on your property can help to make your outdoor experiences in Hawaii more enjoyable.
What Mosquitoes In Hawaii Look Like
Hawaii has eight species of the pesky pests. Six of those species feast on humans, while two only focus on plants.
The most common type of mosquito in Hawaii is the "Aedes aegypti," or the Yellow Fever Mosquito. These mosquitos are winged insects with narrow waists and dangling legs, typically displaying black and white spots.
These pests are most active in the morning and evening hours. They tend to breed in standing water, even small puddles such as those in a parking lot.
Problems With Mosquitoes In Hawaii
Mosquitoes are well known to transmit disease through an infected bite. Presently, Hawaii does not have the human diseases often transmitted through mosquitoes, such as the West Nile Virus, encephalitis, yellow fever, malaria, and filariasis.
Rare and small outbreaks of dengue fever have been known to occur in the wet zones of Hawaii, such as those on Maui and the Big Island. The last documented outbreak was in 2015.
However, dogs bitten in Hawaii do acquire heartworms from infected mosquito bites. Additionally, native birds often die of bird pox or bird malaria.
Natural Effective Mosquito Control In Hawaii
Thankfully there are some productive ways to naturally discourage mosquitoes from your property and your person. For example, wearing long clothing such as full-length pants or long-sleeved shirts can prevent bites from occurring without using chemicals or harsh sprays.
Eliminating standing water or remedying frequent spots where water tends to collect will also help eliminate a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
For example, Hawaii homeowners can:
- Fix leaky faucet or hose drips
- Dump water from bromeliads or leafy plants weekly
- Clean all gutters (for water to move and not collect)
- Remove all trash and debris from the property
- Empty areas of standing water after a rainfall such as birdbaths, buckets, and wheelbarrows
- Dispose of used tires properly
- Repair screens and ensure windows are sealed
Plants can also be a great way to naturally deter mosquitoes on your property. Some easy-to-grow options for Hawaiian residents include:
- Citronella
- Horsemint
- Marigolds
- Ageratum
- Catnip
Adding such plants in and around the home, especially in areas you plan to enjoy while outdoors, can prevent mosquitoes and repel them from the space.
Homeowners can also consider planting the species in pots so that they can be moved from space to space, creating mosquito-free outdoor spaces you and your family can enjoy.
Products containing these natural plants may also assist in repelling mosquitoes.
The Best Way To Protect Your Hawaii Property From Mosquitoes
While there are many products on the market to keep mosquitoes away from your home and yard, there is a better answer. Trust the professionals.
At Able Pest Management, LLC, we use a combination of power sprayers and the In2Care system to get these pests under control. These methods are performed upon an initial visit and have a 30-day warranty that guarantees to reduce the mosquito population on your property.
We can also install mosquito traps, which attract female mosquitoes which lay eggs inside the traps. This helps to eliminate the pest at the larval stage but also kills adult mosquitoes.
Once traps are installed, our team at Able Pest Management will return to your home every month to service the system.
We're here to help! Don't let mosquitoes continue to ruin your outdoor fun. Instead, reach out to us today to learn more about our one-time and recurring mosquito control options.
