Mosquito bites can make those summer barbecues much less fun, leading to painful and itchy bites that seem to last forever. Mosquitoes also carry diseases that affect both humans and pets, so it's best to prevent them from breeding and lingering around your property in the first place. Here are a handful of effective ways to prevent or get rid of mosquitoes:

Remove Objects That Collect Standing Water

Mosquitoes breed in water, and, according to experts, they are especially fond of standing water that collects in man-made objects. For this reason, it's a good idea to do a sweep of your yard, looking for likely breeding locations, and then to clean them up and remove or turn over the objects. Here are a few examples of objects that collect water and lead to mosquitoes:

• Old tires

• Buckets with water inside

• Kiddie pools that aren't emptied out after your kids are done playing

• Rain gutters that haven't been cleaned out recently

Add Citronella Coils or Candles

Citronella is a natural way to repel mosquitoes as well as other pests like flies. You can buy citronella candles or metal coils that release citronella into the air at most major home improvement stores. The next time you want to enjoy a glass of wine in the backyard, simply light a few citronella candles and enjoy a mosquito-free evening.

Add Outdoor Fans

A fan set on a higher setting can get rid of mosquitoes because the brisk breeze makes it more difficult for them to fly, and it also makes it harder for them to follow the scent trails they rely on to find people or animals to bite. If you've been looking for an excuse to upgrade your outdoor covered patio with a ceiling fan, this is a great reason. Otherwise, a pedestal fan from inside the house will do the trick.

Buy Mosquito Dunks

Mosquito dunks are small objects that you can place inside a swimming pool, koi pond, outdoor fountain, or other water feature. They kill mosquito larvae but do not harm fish, people, or other animals. This is an easy solution if you have unavoidable areas of standing water around your property but don't want mosquitoes to breed there.

Plant Plenty of Mint

Similarly to citronella, mosquitoes are often naturally repelled by the smell of mint. Planting mint around your yard and in pots alongside your patio and front porch helps discourage mosquitoes from lingering near your home. As an added bonus, mint smells great, and you can use it in your cooking.

Clean Up Your Landscaping

If your yard is full of old, dead leaves, branches, and grass clippings, it is more attractive to mosquitoes and other pests. As this organic material breaks down and rots, it becomes very damp and can make an appealing spot for mosquitoes looking for a breeding site. Spending some time tidying up your yard will help make your property much less appealing to mosquitoes, as well as to other pests like spiders and mice.

Hire a Pest Control Company

If you already have a serious mosquito problem, the most efficient way to deal with it is to have a professional pest control company come inspect your property, spray for both mosquitoes and eggs, and eliminate any breeding sites they locate. Pest control companies will also spray your property and home as a preventative measure to avoid mosquitoes, and they will work with you to ensure they only use products that are safe for your family and pets.

By following these tips and working with a trusted pest control company, you can avoid the nuisance of mosquitoes from taking up residence around your home. To learn more, check out websites like http://www.albemarlepestsolutions.com.