Spring is Here & So Are Mosquitoes! Here's How You Can Prevent Mosquito Bites & Diseases Like Zika

Spring is Here & So Are Mosquitoes! Here's How You Can Prevent Mosquito Bites & Diseases Like Zika

Mar 21, 2017 | Mosquito

It’s the first official week of Spring (aka Mosquito Season)! Time to start thinking about mosquito prevention.
The risk of contracting mosquito-borne Zika virus in the U.S. is at an all-time high, specifically dangerous for pregnant women or those trying to conceive as the virus can cause serious birth defects. According to the CDC, 222 cases of Zika were reported as of March 15, 2017, acquired through local mosquito-borne transmission in Florida and Texas. And because there’s currently no vaccine for Zika, the only way to prevent it is with mosquito bite prevention. Here’s how you can minimize your risk and limit the spread of Zika.

Home Mosquito Control

The best way to prevent mosquito bites when spending time outside this spring and summer is to reduce mosquito populations around your home with a mosquito control program. Usually consisting of monthly treatments, a professional mosquito control program includes:

  • Removal and/or reduction of mosquito resting and breeding sites – any areas that accumulate standing water like planters, toys, bird baths, pet bowls, containers, etc.
  • Larvicide treatments to mosquito breeding sites that cannot be removed, targeting mosquito larvae which inhibits maturity into adult mosquitoes
  • Adulticide treatments to mosquito resting sites – shaded areas, shrubbery, small trees, ivy, etc. – reducing the amount of adult mosquitoes around your home
  • Monthly inspections and recommendations on how to reduce mosquito breeding and resting areas

Other ways you can prevent mosquito bites:

  • Cover arms and legs when spending time outdoors with light, loose-fitting clothing
  • Keep mosquitoes out of your home by identifying entry points like broken, damaged, or missing window and door screens and make necessary repairs
  • Reduce mosquito breeding areas by eliminating any items inside that can accumulate standing water
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone

 

10 Ways To Prevent Mosquito Bites

May 23, 2014 | Uncategorized

What Are 10 Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites?

Here in the South, mosquitoes and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly. In North America there is an estimated 170 different species of mosquito. Sometimes it feels like 169 of those species live right here in the south. Aside from being a nuisance, mosquitoes can be a threat to our health. West Nile virus is a disease that is carried by mosquitoes and has become a concern in the US in recent years.

So how do you keep those pesky mosquitoes away? Below are 10 ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites:

  1. Wear long clothes – We know it’s the summer and it’s hot but if possible, wear long sleeves and pants when you’re going to be outdoors.
  2. Eliminate areas of standing water – Empty areas where water collects such as flower pots and bird baths.  Properly landscape areas of the yard where water pools.
  3. Use insect repellant containing DEET – Follow the instructions on insect repellants that contain DEET.
  4. Ensure windows and doors are screened – If you have windows and/or doors open make sure they are properly screened to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
  5. Avoid the outdoors between dusk and dawn – Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. Avoid going outside during those times.
  6. Try not to work up a sweat – Mosquitoes are attracted to the lactic acid in sweat.
  7. Don’t move – Mosquitoes are attracted to movement, so be still!!
  8. Wear light colored clothes – Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors so wear lighter colors to avoid their bites.
  9. Don’t drink beer – Mosquitoes are beer lovers and will likely bite you if you are drinking one.
  10. Keep body temperature low – Stay cool. The higher your body temperature, the more attracted mosquitoes are to you.

Mosquito treatments can also be a great way to prevent mosquitoes. Northwest Exterminating offers a GREEN mosquito program that targets both mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes.

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