Category: Mosquitoes

After record levels of rain drenched the US in 2019, spring promises to bring an extremely high level of mosquitoes and other springtime insects. When water levels are high, it takes more time for levels to be absorbed into the ground or to evaporate. These conditions of stagnant water in backyards and elsewhere create more opportunities for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.

How to Protect Your Home from Mosquitoes

Basic precautions against mosquitoes will help protect your loved ones from annoying bites and potential diseases. To help prepare for a busy-and-buzzing spring season, keep in mind some of these important tips.

First, minimize breeding sites. Mosquitoes only need a tiny amount of stagnant water to deposit eggs. Be diligent about dumping standing water from garbage can tops, plastic chairs, umbrellas, toys and any place where water gathers. Keep gutters and other yard debris as clean as possible.

Make sure screens and doors are in good repair. This might not help prevent mosquitos from breeding, but will help minimize their presence in your home. Stay inside at dusk or wear long sleeves and pants. Use a quality mosquito repellent when outside in the evening, and use outdoor fans where you are sitting to blow them away. Finally, use a professional pesticide misting system.

For these tips to be most effective, you must be fastidious and stay on top of regular pest maintenance. If you don’t have the time ability to keep up your property, consider hiring a professional pest control company. People who live in difficult areas, such as next to a retention pond, should seriously consider quarterly maintenance.

Prepare Before the Swarm Arrives

Professionals say that the best defense against mosquitoes or any pesky insect is good offense. Many people believe that the temperature outside needs to be in the 70s or 80s for mosquitoes to breed, but when the ambient temperature is a steady 50 degrees or higher, they will begin to lay eggs. Other biting pests such as gnats and ‘no-see-ums’ also begin to breed at 50 degrees.

Therefore, the time to get your house and yard defenses in place should be as early in the spring as possible. In addition to the tips listed above, such as cleaning out gutters, etc., you may want to consider buying an electronically controlled tankless misting system. These systems have fine-spray misters about 15 feet apart and are programmed to turn on at dawn and at dusk. The insecticide kills mosquitoes, gnats, and ‘no-see-ums,’ but does not harm beneficial insects such as butterflies.

Whichever methods you choose to protect your property, be sure to get started early as the biting season is upon us!

As the weather begins to warm and the days turn longer, thoughts of backyard barbecues and afternoons in the sun begin to come to mind. Unfortunately, the pests outside your home are stirring, too, and will soon be upon you in full force. This is especially true of mosquitoes, which begin moving as soon as the temperature starts to rise. Don’t wait for the problem to become a nightmare before you seek out help – start preparing your home today for the 2019 swarm!

Sealing Openings

One of the first things you can do to help keep bugs firmly out of your home is to seal its openings. This can be done a few different ways. If your home has any obvious entry points such as broken windows or holes in the foundation, for example, then you need to physically seal the barriers to help keep critters of all kinds from entering your home. Keep in mind that bugs can squeeze their way into your home from incredibly small crevices and holes, so a thorough check of your property is vital. You can seal these smaller openings using caulk, putty, or screening depending upon the kind of issue in question.

There are also insecticide barrier treatments that can be applied to your home that can help stop insects before they enter. This kind of solution is typically applied around the perimeter of your home and is designed to repel or kill bugs that attempt to move towards your home.

Install a Misting System

Mosquitoes can be annoyingly persistent outside, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to be done about them. On the contrary, installing a misting system is a great way to control their population and keep the swarms away from your backyard. A MistAway system can help kill mosquitoes while leaving butterflies and bees unharmed. This is one of the most effective methods to keep your outdoor space free from bests and allow you to enjoy the spring and summer months worry-free. Many systems will operate automatically so that you don’t have to remember to turn it on and off every day at the appropriate times, too.

Choosing Pesticides

Pesticides can be vital in maintaining a healthy outdoor space, but it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. If you’re looking for a good option, there are few factors to take into consideration. Where is the pesticide going to be used? If you’re using one near a playground, for example, then you’ll need to be especially careful to pick one that is as safe as possible. Keep your pets in mind, too, as some options can make them very sick. Pick one that has a low toxicity and is formulated for the specific pest you’re trying to control. Finally, make sure that you read all directions carefully and use the pesticide exactly as directed to help limit potential harm.

Looking for help in choosing pesticides for your home? Contact the experts!