Although mosquitoes are mainly active during the cooler period at dusk, these bloodsucking pests can show up at anytime to harass you and drive you from your own yard. Certain landscaping features, like standing water, are known to attract more mosquitoes, but few people are aware that their trees could also be adding to the problem. The following are three tactics to make your trees less attractive to marauding mosquitoes.

1. Trim and Thin Your Trees

Mosquitoes often hide out in the foliage of the trees. The denser the foliage, the cooler the temperature and the higher the humidity inside the crown. This is why mosquito problems tend to be worse when you are sitting beneath a tree on a summer evening. One way to minimize the amount of mosquitoes in the yard is to properly prune your tree. Thinning out the canopy removes some of the excess growth, which then allows air to circulate more freely throughout the branches. The moving air pushes mosquitoes away, while the thinner canopy provides less humidity and shelter to the roving insects.

2. Lift the Crown

The good news is that mosquitoes are not strong fliers, which is why they are the worse on still days. By raising the crown of a tree, more air will move throughout your yard, which will make it more difficult for the mosquitoes to fly. While you may welcome the breeze, the mosquitoes will suffer from it. The crown is raised by careful pruning to remove the lower branches on the trunk. Depending on how much you need to raise the crown, pruning may need to happen in stages over a couple of years in order to avoid shock to the tree.

3. Choose the Right Trees

Most landscape trees don't provide any mosquito repellent capabilities, with the exception of the eucalyptus tree. This tree can be a good option if you live in a mild climate that isn't subjected to winter freezes. Although other trees don't necessarily repel mosquitoes, some seem to attract them. Trees and hedges with dense foliage, such as thuja, can provide a humid nesting spot. Further, trees with holes in the trunk or low lying areas within the branches that catch water can provide breeding grounds for the best. When choosing tree varieties, select those varieties with less dense canopies that are easily trained to a straight trunk.

Although tree care and selection can down on mosquitoes in the yard, it won't completely eliminate the pests. It's a good idea to bring in a pest control company to spray the yard and trees if you have a major mosquito problem around your home. Find a mosquito removal service in your area today.