Aug 16, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Mosquito
Naples Pest Control: Mosquito Season
Having effective mosquito control in Naples, Florida is imperative. Without year-round support from your local pest control company, you are bound to confront many mosquitoes around your property. With warm temperatures nearly year-round, your yard is the ideal environment for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. It’s important to have a mosquito service plan working all year long. Let’s talk about how mosquito control can better help you!
Mosquitoes pose many health risks for you and your family. They are known to carry diseases like Zika virus and West Nile virus, which are both very serious. It’s important to work with your pest control company to determine what treatment plan works best for you.
The first step in figuring out which plan is right for you is to obtain an inspection of your entire yard to identify breeding sites and resting places that mosquitoes are using. Once these areas have been identified, larvicide and adulticide applications are used to control the mosquito population on your property. After the application is completed, it’s best to remove any standing water on your property, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The best part of the plan is that in between treatments a technician will come out for any issues that arise.
In addition to mosquito treatments, homeowners can also take steps to prevent mosquitoes around their homes by:
- Cutting away tall weeds around your property
- Removing any containers with standing water
- Making sure your property drains properly to avoid flooding and standing water
- Mowing your lawn regularly
If you think you have a problem with mosquitoes or any other pests, contact your local Naples pest control company to receive a free inspection!
Aug 15, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Mosquito
Miami Pest Control: Mosquito Prevention Tips
Miami is prone to heat and humidity, which can bring a host of pest problems. One pest known to arrive in droves during the warmer season is mosquitoes. While it’s inevitable to run into these pests this time of year, it is possible to reduce them around your home. Check out our list of DIY methods for mosquito control so you can get back to enjoying your home.
Eliminate Breeding Sites
Female mosquitoes only need a small amount of water to breed, producing even more of these nuisance pests in your yard. It’s important to eliminate any stagnant water throughout your property to avoid them. Check around your property for any objects that can hold water and remove them, such as outdoor pet bowls, tire swings, tarps, and more.
Maintain Your Yard
Tall grass, shrubbery, and even damp woodpiles are the perfect places for mosquitoes to hide in. It’s important to keep your yard well landscaped, mow your lawn often, and cut back your shrubs. If you have any wood piles in your yard, cover them and store them in containers with lids at least 20 feet from your home.
Utilize Fans
Did you know that mosquitoes are attracted to our body heat? If you’ve been sweating, it’s likely the pests will seek you out for a blood meal. If you’re spending time on your deck or patio, utilize outdoor fans to help redirect the carbon dioxide and body heat you emit.
Consider Monthly Treatments
Sometimes the best option is to call a professional to help with mosquito control. There are several different mosquito treatment methods available, including green mosquito treatments and traditional ones. Professional mosquito services will include treatments that eliminate larvae and adult mosquitoes, source reduction techniques, and prevention methods. Your local Miami pest control company typically offers a monthly mosquito service during peak mosquito season.
Aug 8, 2022 | Mosquito
Mosquitoes are most active based on the temperature, not the time of year. In the South, this means they are active for most of the year. Even though summer is almost over, the heat will stay for a while. Sometimes, we even see temperatures above 70 degrees well into the fall season. With mosquitoes still active, it’s important to continue taking precautions.
Treatments for mosquitoes should continue into the fall, even if you aren’t experiencing mosquito issues. There are reasons behind the “start it early and finish late” saying when it comes to mosquito treatments. Treatments should run from March to October to ensure the mosquitoes are dealt with correctly.
Do you ever wonder where mosquitoes go during the fall and winter? Depending on the mosquito species, they most likely haven’t gone anywhere. They can still be found in your lawn, pond, creek, or woods. They only remain inactive in the fall and winter, most likely hibernating. Some mosquitoes will even lay their dormant eggs in the soil until warmer weather returns.
Mosquitoes might not seem as active in the later months, but they are prepared for when the weather returns to a favorable climate for them to thrive. Treatment schedules should be followed for a reason, to help maintain mosquito control, especially when the weather warms up again.
If you suspect you have a mosquito problem, reach out to your local pest control company and they can get a mosquito plan made that’s right for you and your property.
May 24, 2022 | Mosquito
When you think of warmer weather, you imagine barbecues and beach trips. Unfortunately, these outdoor activities can be ruined by mosquito bites. Mosquitoes can put a damper on any summer fun, causing itchy red bumps and spreading diseases such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, and more within the U.S.
Most people are familiar with the maddening, itching sensation of a mosquito bite. But why do mosquito bites itch and why do they bite people in the first place? Let’s break it down.
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?
Only female mosquitoes bite as they need protein to nourish their developing eggs. Biting mosquitoes use several different signals to locate a host, including carbon dioxide that we exhale, heat, and body odor. There are many factors that make some people appear more attractive to mosquitoes than others, including darker colored clothing, blood type, body size, being pregnant, sweat, and skin bacteria.
Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch?
During the process of a mosquito biting you, it injects some of its own saliva which contains an anticoagulant and specific proteins. The anticoagulant prevents blood from clotting around the mosquito’s mouth. The proteins released by the mosquito trigger the body’s immune system, which releases histamine, a compound that increases cell count resulting in inflammation and swelling. The histamine also signals the nerves around the bite to cause it to itch.
Preventing Mosquito Bites
- Eliminate standing water around your property to lessen the population of mosquitoes
- Utilize screens on all windows and doors if they remain open
- Most species are active during dusk and dawn, so limit your time outside during these time periods
- Wear long pants and sleeves when possible and apply mosquito repellent containing an EPA-registered ingredient like DEET
If the mosquito problem is more than you can handle, then contacting your local pest control company might be the next step. as they will help set up the right prevention plan for your home.
May 18, 2022 | Pest Control
The warmer weather can bring out a mass of pests looking for food, water, and shelter. If certain preventative measures are not placed around your home, pests can easily find their way indoors, making it difficult to get rid of them. Check out our top summer pests and how to prevent them below.
Mosquitoes
These tiny pests are most active in the summer months due to the warm, humid weather. You will certainly come across mosquitoes and preventing them is easier than you might think. They lay their eggs in standing water, so make sure your property is clear of standing water, including pet bowls and birdbaths. Emptying these items daily will help lessen the possibility of mosquito breeding.
Ants
Another small and pesky insect is the ant. These pests love getting into your home to look for leftover food or crumbs. It’s best to vacuum weekly to help alleviate the crumbs leftover in your home. Ants can gain access through the smallest crack or crevice, so be sure to find and seal these as soon as possible.
Cockroaches
These pests will eat just about anything, making them hard to get rid of once they’ve invaded your home. Cockroaches can pose a health threat to your family as they are known to spread bacteria and cause severe allergic reactions. The key to discouraging these pests is to eliminate any food sources that are readily available to them. After each meal, wipe down all countertops, stovetops, and spills. Take the trash out regularly and use trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
Dealing with summer pests can be a hassle and take away from your summer fun. If the pest problem is bigger than you can handle, then reach out to your local pest control company to find a prevention plan fit for your home.
