Mastering Mosquitos in Your Yard

Every summer, homeowners across Connecticut dread the time of year when mosquitoes come out to feast. And every year, the same products appear on store shelves promising miracle results. From citronella candles to bug zappers, backyard torches, wristbands, and sonic repellents, there are enough mosquito gadgets to fill an entire aisle at the hardware store. 

The truth is that effective mosquito control is usually much less about gimmicks and much more about understanding why mosquitoes are showing up in the first place. The biggest culprit by far is standing water.

Mosquitoes don’t need ponds or swamps to reproduce. In fact, they can breed in something as small as a bottle cap full of water. Gutters, flower pots, clogged drains, bird baths, kids’ toys, wheelbarrows, tarps, old tires, buckets, and even poorly draining patio furniture covers can all become mosquito breeding grounds surprisingly quickly.

One of the best things homeowners can do is simply walk their property after a rainstorm and look for areas where water collects and lingers. You might be surprised how many small problem areas exist once you start paying attention.

Poor drainage around patios, walkways, and low spots in the yard can also contribute to mosquito activity. If parts of your lawn stay soggy for days after a storm, mosquitoes are probably enjoying it more than you are.

Landscaping also plays a bigger role than many people realize. Mosquitoes love cool, damp, shaded environments. Overgrown shrubs, tall grass, dense groundcover, neglected hedges, and piles of wet leaves create ideal hiding spots during hot summer days. Homeowners often focus entirely on treating mosquitoes while unintentionally creating the perfect environment for them to thrive.

Keeping landscaping trimmed and allowing for better airflow and sunlight can make a noticeable difference, especially around decks, patios, and outdoor seating areas. Even simple pruning can help reduce the damp, shaded conditions mosquitoes prefer.

Professional mosquito treatment services have also become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly for homeowners who want to fully enjoy their outdoor spaces during the summer months. For many properties, especially wooded lots, homes near water, or backyards with dense landscaping, professional treatments can make a very noticeable difference in reducing mosquito activity.

Most reputable services apply targeted treatments to shaded areas where mosquitoes tend to rest during the day, including shrubs, wooded edges, under decks, and dense foliage. Some companies also offer more natural or pollinator-conscious options for homeowners who prefer a lighter approach.

That said, even professional treatment programs tend to work best when paired with basic prevention and maintenance. Eliminating standing water and addressing landscaping issues helps reduce the conditions mosquitoes thrive in to begin with. Think of spraying as one part of the overall strategy, not a complete substitute for backyard upkeep.

Now for the question everyone asks: what actually works for day-to-day mosquito control?

One surprisingly effective tool is something many homeowners already own: fans. Mosquitoes are weak fliers. Outdoor ceiling fans, standing fans, or portable fans on patios and decks can dramatically reduce mosquito activity in seating areas. It’s simple, relatively inexpensive, and often more effective than many heavily marketed products.

Citronella candles can help slightly in smaller areas with little wind, particularly when combined with other measures, but they are usually not enough on their own for a typical backyard gathering. Bug zappers, meanwhile, often kill large numbers of insects that are not mosquitoes while doing relatively little to control the actual mosquito population.

Timing matters too. Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk, especially during humid Connecticut evenings. If you’ve ever wondered why your backyard suddenly becomes unbearable right around dinner time, unfortunately, that’s not your imagination.

At the end of the day, the most effective mosquito strategy is usually a combination approach: eliminate standing water, maintain landscaping, improve airflow, and use targeted treatments where needed.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Eight Great Bathroom Upgrades

They are usually the smallest rooms in the house but having stylish and comfortable bathrooms is a remodeling job with one of the biggest payoffs. Not only will you see costs recouped if you’re considering putting your house on the market, but a home with upgraded and fully functional bathrooms will make your family feel much more zen too. Here are eight ideas to give your bathrooms a boost without spending a fortune.

Health & Safety

If your bathroom doesn’t have proper ventilation, you will end up with mold and mildew growing on the walls and ceiling. A replacement fan will cost under $100 and you can install it yourself to ensure that the moisture caused by the shower is being extracted properly. Remember, you’ll need to measure the bathroom first to ensure you get the right fan for the job. 

Environmentally Friendly

If you want to do your part for the environment, you can update your bathroom with water-saving fixtures. Many of the big box stores, as well as local retailers, carry energy-efficient models that can cut water flow by upwards of 30 percent, making for a healthier planet and a happier utility bill. 

Neat & Tidy

If you can’t stand cleaning the shower, this one's for you. Today you can find shower doors that are finished with a water-resistant coating that sheds the droplets that leave unsightly little stains. If you’re constantly walking around with a squeegee in hand, this upgrade might just make your weekend cleaning routine just a little easier. 

Semi-Custom

If you’re looking to replace your cabinetry, take a look at some of the semi-custom options available from the major retailers. There are even companies that spruce up IKEA cabinets to make them look more personalized and stylish. If you can’t afford to replace the cabinets, a new lick of paint can breathe new life into old doors.

Get Organized

If your cabinets are in good shape but they are tough to reach or annoying to get into, a cabinet organizer might be for you. Most systems include sliding surfaces which make reaching items in the back a whole lot easier. No more digging in the dark. 

Lights and Mirrors

Dated mirrors or lighting fixtures can bring a bathroom down. Kick it up a notch and keep an eye on the sales flyers for accent pieces to give your bathroom a boost for very little effort. Backlit mirrors are very on trend this year as are soft metallics and mixed metals. 

Counters

Granite countertops are a pricey remodeling project, but these days you can get the look for less by getting creative. Talk to your local countertop expert about where to look for remnant slabs, or consider cheaper options like a preformed laminate finish.

Spa Touches

Make your shower more luxurious by replacing the old head. I personally love a rain shower, but a handheld sprayer can feel great after a long day and it makes cleaning a cinch. You can also replace your old shower curtain with a more modern update for less than $20. You won’t believe how a little change can make a big difference. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Ceiling Cracks - A Simple Problem?

This question from a reader might resonate with many of you. “Dear Bob, I noticed a ceiling crack has appeared in my bathroom ceiling near my shower. What should I do?”

I am so glad the reader asked this question because it's incredibly common and can easily happen in any home. The reason ceiling cracks appear is because the bathroom usually holds the most moisture in the house. If the bathroom doesn't have proper ventilation, water and steam from the shower can get trapped in the ceiling, softening the drywall and eventually cracking the paint. An easy cosmetic fix could be to fill in the cracks and repaint the ceiling, but my advice is to first check to ensure no leaks or drainage issues are causing the problem in the first place.

I spend a lot of time in attics and I often see bathroom fans that have been disconnected or knocked off track. So while they sound like they are working, they aren't actually extracting the moisture properly. First-floor bathrooms can be even more susceptible to cracking because of the possibility of plumbing leaks inside the ceiling that originate from an upstairs bathroom. 

So what can you do? If you fix the crack, you don't want it coming back again. Start by making sure you have no leaks or damage in your plumbing. If the area looks wet and doesn’t dry out after using the shower, it is likely an issue coming from inside the ceiling itself, in which case you’ll want to call a plumber. If the ceiling dries after each shower, it’s probably just an extraction problem.

Now have a look at your bathroom fan to ensure that it's working properly. If the fan is old, it's probably worth having it replaced. Older fans or ones that aren’t working well are leaving moisture in the air, which will crack your paint. A good fan should extract moisture in 15 minutes and should be directed outside, not in the attic. 

Once you're ready to patch and paint, make sure the surfaces are very dry and use a water-resistant compound and paint to repair the ceiling. Ensure you give the compound plenty of time to dry before painting - I recommend one day or more. Finally, make sure you're preventing any excess moisture build-up in the future by running the fan during and for 20 minutes after each shower. 

I love hearing from my readers, so please keep those questions coming!
Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.