As the weather warms up, more and more people head outdoors to enjoy pool parties, barbecue get-togethers and outdoor weddings. While these events can bring good food and fun, they can also attract pesky mosquitoes.

A mosquito bite can be more than just a nuisance. Some can carry dangerous diseases like the West Nile Virus and the Zika virus. Sometimes, insect repellent just isn't enough and more thorough control solutions are needed.

Why is mosquito control at outdoor events and recreational areas so important?

Whether you're attending a music festival, pickleball game, garden art show, pickup basketball game or an outdoor yoga session in a local park, the last thing you want to worry about is mosquitoes.

There is a reason why mosquitoes were ranked as the fourth most hated insect in a survey conducted by Today's Homeowner. You're sitting outside, enjoying a nice summer evening when all of the sudden you get bit by a mosquito … and then another mosquito. You spend the rest of the evening keeping an eye out for these nuisances, until eventually you've had enough and head back indoors.

While mosquitoes can cause itchy skin and general irritation in their presence, there are more important reasons to take mosquito control seriously. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a more dangerous effect of mosquito bites could be the spread of dangerous viruses and diseases such as West Nile virus and malaria.

Fortunately, there are preventative measures you can take to ensure your guests are off the menu for these blood-thirsty insects.

Ways to control mosquitoes at outdoor events:

• Eliminate standing water – Mosquitoes are drawn to standing water as they use it for breeding. Reducing the amount of standing water can significantly reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses for your guests.
• Use mosquito netting – Mosquito netting can be particularly useful for events where food is involved. Netting provides a physical barrier between guests and mosquitoes, allowing guests to not worry about potential bites or insects in their food.
• Light mosquito candles – Chemicals, including citronella oil, are present in mosquito candles, which helps repel these bothersome insects from disturbing guests. Candles can add to the ambience of the outdoor event, while serving the practical purpose of controlling mosquitoes.
• Provide mosquito repellent – Repellents are one of the more popular mosquito control strategies as they are easy to find in stores and effective in preventing mosquito bites. According to Scientific American, insect repellents with EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, PMD or icaridin are scientifically proven to deter mosquitoes.
• Schedule events when mosquitoes aren't as active – Mosquito activity is highest at dawn and dusk. Scheduling an event around those times may help prevent the highest chances of mosquito bites.
• Eliminate other attractants – Educate guests and include signs in recreational areas on how perfumes, lotions and dark-colored clothing attracts mosquitoes. Advise guests to wear light-colored clothing and refrain from using strongly scented products to reduce their attractiveness to mosquitoes.

Many event managers opt for physical controls for mosquitoes such as mosquito netting, screens and traps. These physical barriers are environmentally friendly when compared to their chemical counterparts and may be more preferable in less-casual settings where people don't want to spray mosquito repellant while dressed up for a wedding. However, setting up physical barriers in large, outdoor settings can be labor-intensive, expensive and perhaps not entirely effective at providing complete mosquito control in expansive areas.

Chemical controls for mosquitoes such as personal repellents or insecticide spraying offer immediate mosquito control and can be effective methods of containment for larger areas. Some groups may be concerned with how chemical controls can affect the environment, and instead opt for physical controls.

It may be most effective for event managers and recreational managers to implement a mix of both physical and chemical controls. Managing mosquito control in expansive, outdoor spaces can be difficult when trying to keep guests comfortable and safe. Using a physical barrier around food may make more sense than spraying chemicals around food, while spraying insecticide over a large area may make more sense when people are dressed nicely and don't want to use personal repellants. Finding a mix of both physical and chemical controls will keep guests from spending their entire outdoor time worrying about mosquitoes.

Get rid of unwanted guests to ensure the safety of wanted guests

Ensuring effective mosquito control at outdoor events is crucial for the comfort and safety of your guests. By combining both physical and chemical strategies, you can significantly reduce the presence of these annoying and potentially dangerous insects. With thoughtful planning and the right measures in place, your outdoor gatherings can be both enjoyable and safe for everyone.