Summer has a lot of great things, but mosquitoes aren't one of them. A mosquito's whine or bite can ruin an otherwise perfect day, and where there is one, there are usually dozens or even hundreds more. Not only are mosquitoes annoying, but they can also spread diseases like West Nile virus, encephalitis, yellow fever, and more.

Mosquitoes can breed quickly, and once they have taken over your backyard, it can be hard to get rid of them. You can get rid of them completely or cut their numbers down by following these tips:

Remove Standing Water

If you want to know how to prevent mosquitoes, begin by touring your property to find any sources of standing or stagnant water. Since this is where mosquitoes lay their eggs, you can stop them from breeding and spreading by getting rid of or redirecting water that collects in buckets, trash cans, tarps, and other places.

Pool Cleaning

Whether you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, it's important to keep it well-maintained and chlorinated to repel mosquitoes and deter them from laying their eggs. Adequate water filtration and circulation help to keep the water clean, and your pool cover can prevent chemicals from evaporating and keep insects out when not in use. Wading pools for pets or kids should be emptied often, and the area around the pool should be well-kept and free of dips or holes where water can collect.

Help water drain

Wherever water collects in your yard after it rains a lot or you water it a lot, if you can, fill in these spots with dirt to even out the slope or channel the water to send it in a different direction for better drainage.

Empty Gutters

Over time, leaves and other things can build up in your gutters and stop the system from draining. Professional gutter cleaning services are an easy and inexpensive way to keep your gutters clear of debris and keep mosquitoes away. Make sure your downspouts are placed and kept in a smart way so that the water flows away from the area and is spread out well.

Maintain Your Landscape

During the heat of the day, mosquitoes like to hide in the tall, cool grass and overgrown plants. Keep up with weekly lawn maintenance to keep your grass neat and healthy and to make sure your bushes and shrubs are well trimmed.

Repel Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes don't like the smell of citronella grass because it masks the smells that draw them to people. Other plants that have been shown to keep mosquitoes and other insects away or get rid of them include:

• Lavender
• Marigolds
• Basil
• Geraniums that are scented
• Rosemary
• Catnip

Move things along

A backyard pond is an interesting landscape feature, but mosquitoes are drawn to it because it has still water and plants around it. Install a fountain or aerator, or think about adding goldfish, guppies, or killifish, which are known to eat mosquito larvae, if your climate and way of life allow.

Switch your lights

Bugs, like mosquitoes, are naturally drawn to the light that regular bulbs give off. Change your outdoor bulbs to yellow "bug lights," which give off a different wavelength of light that bugs don't like as much.