Patience. Discipline. Control of our faculties. We humans like to lay claim to each of these "virtues." Mosquitoes, however, are God's summer reminder that we're not in control. The "skeeters" may not be as bad this year in many parts of Arkansas thanks to a cold winter, but the simple joy of standing in one's own yard and enjoying a beautiful oak canopy can be transformed into a profanity-laced, swatting-like-mad dash for the front door. Indeed, mosquitoes continue to get under our skin. Legacy can treat the area around your house to make sure those annoying bugs — not only pests but potential disease-carriers — have as little impact as possible. In the meantime, here are some home remedy tips from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture to help homeowners take a bite out of mosquitoes' impact: Dispose of plastic containers, ceramic pots, tin cans or similar water­holding containers. Remove and properly discard old tires from their property. Drill holes in bottoms of recycling containers kept outdoors. Ensure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall. Fill tree holes with sand or drill and drain. Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week. Clean excess vegetation and debris from around the edges of ponds. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Drain water from pool covers. Use landscaping to eliminate stagnant water that collects on the homeowner ’s property. Avoid over­irrigation of lawns.