When warm, humid air drifts across Tweed Heads and Banora Point, everyone knows what follows: mozzies. They show up uninvited to every backyard barbecue, turning outdoor time into an itchy, frustrating experience. Even worse, they can spread illnesses like Ross River virus, putting your family at risk.
With so many tips and tricks floating around about mosquito control, it can be hard to tell what genuinely works and what ends up wasting your money. Here’s a clearer look at the facts so you can protect your home with confidence.
Myth 1: Citronella Candles Provide Complete Protection
Walk into any hardware store, and you’ll see rows of citronella candles marketed as mosquito solutions. The reality? They offer minimal protection.
Dr Cameron Webb, a medical entomologist at the University of Sydney, confirms that citronella and other plant-based products might camouflage your scent slightly, but mosquitoes are still buzzing around looking for you.
These candles work in very small areas at best.
What works instead: Focus on eliminating breeding sites around your property. Empty plant saucers, clean gutters, and remove any standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. One female mosquito can produce hundreds of offspring in just a bottle cap’s worth of water.
Myth 2: Bug Zappers Control Mosquito Populations
That satisfying zap sound might make you feel like you’re winning the war against mozzies, but you’re not. Bug zappers kill thousands of insects, but mosquitoes make up only a tiny percentage of them. You’re mostly eliminating harmless moths, beetles, and other beneficial insects.
Mosquitoes aren’t particularly attracted to ultraviolet light. They’re drawn to carbon dioxide, body heat, and the smell of your skin.
What works instead: Install screens on windows and doors, and use outdoor fans on your patio. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so a strong breeze from a ceiling or pedestal fan makes it difficult for them to land on you.
Myth 3: Eating Garlic or Taking Vitamin B Repels Mozzies
Despite what your nan might have told you, there’s no scientific evidence that eating garlic or taking vitamin B supplements will keep mosquitoes away. They care about what’s on your skin, not what’s in your stomach.
Some people are simply more attractive to mozzies than others due to their blood type, body temperature, and the unique chemical compounds on their skin.
What works instead: Use repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. These are proven to work and are safe when used as directed. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has tested these products for over 70 years.
Myth 4: You Only Get Bitten Outdoors
Mosquitoes aren’t confined to your backyard. They’re perfectly happy to follow you indoors through open windows, doors, or torn flyscreens. Once inside, they hide in dark, humid areas such as bathrooms and laundries.
What works instead: Repair torn screens immediately and use mosquito nets over beds in humid months. Consider using plug-in repellents indoors, but never burn mosquito coils indoors.
Myth 5: Clean Properties Don't Have Mosquito Problems
Even the tidiest home in Banora Point can have a mosquito problem. While cleanliness helps reduce many pests, mosquitoes only need one thing to breed: water. A forgotten bucket, clogged gutter, or pet water bowl left unchanged for a few days is all they need.
Properties near creeks, bushland, or wetlands around the Tweed area face ongoing challenges.
What works instead: Walk your property every few days and tip out any standing water. Check under house areas, behind garden sheds, and in pot plant bases. Don’t forget pool covers, boat tarps, and wheelbarrows.
Myth 6: Mosquitoes Only Bite at Dawn and Dusk
While many species are most active during these times, the dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito is active during the day. Some species will bite anytime they sense a warm body nearby.
What works instead: Apply repellent before any outdoor activity, regardless of the time of day. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing in light colours—mozzies are attracted to dark fabrics.
Myth 7: Mosquito Wristbands and Patches Work
These gadgets might seem convenient, but studies show they offer almost no protection beyond a centimetre or two from the band itself. The rest of your body remains an open buffet.
What works instead: Treat your clothing with permethrin spray, which provides long-lasting protection and stays effective even after multiple washes.
When DIY Isn't Enough
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, mozzies persist. Hidden breeding sites under houses, in drainage systems, or near waterways require professional expertise. Properties backing onto bushland or creeks in the Northern Rivers region often need ongoing professional management.
At TSD Pest Control, we have been protecting homes and businesses across Banora Point, Tweed Heads, and the Northern Rivers for more than ten years. Our licensed team uses safe, eco-friendly treatments designed for the humid conditions common in this region. We locate hidden breeding sites, apply focused treatments, and offer ongoing monitoring to keep your family protected.
Stop Wasting Money, Start Getting Results
Mosquito control does not have to drain your budget on products that offer little to no benefit. Focus on removing breeding sites, using proven repellents, and keeping your screens in good condition. For persistent issues or hard-to-reach areas, professional pest control provides faster, longer-lasting relief.
Do not let mozzies take over another summer. Contact TSD Pest Control today for expert mosquito management suited to your property.
