Jun 9, 2022 | Mosquito
If you plan on spending any time outside this summer, there is a good chance you will get a mosquito bite. Once mosquitoes bite, they cause a minor allergic reaction. Most often, the skin will raise and turn red. The itch itself comes from the allergic reaction to the saliva. It’s an anticoagulant that the mosquito injects while sucking your blood.
So, how do you treat a mosquito bite?
- Wash the affected area with soap and water. You can also use rubbing alcohol to remove any excess saliva that is still on the skin.
- Apply ice to the bite as soon as you become aware that you have been bitten. The ice can help alleviate the pain and swelling.
- Avoid scratching. This will only aggravate the itch and prolong healing. You can apply an anti-itch medication to the area of the bite to keep you from scratching. You can also try home remedies such as applying toothpaste, baking soda, or Epsom salt.
Make sure to keep an eye out to make sure your bite doesn’t get infected. You can tell a bite is infected if it appears red, feels warm, or has a red streak spread outward from the bite. If your symptoms worsen, please see a healthcare provider. Also, if a bite causes a fever, vomiting, or shortness of breath, call 911 or get to an emergency room as soon as possible.
Apr 13, 2022 | Mosquito
Just the thought of mosquitoes can be enough to ruin a nice day outside. They are known for being a nuisance. With spring here, taking the necessary steps to avoid mosquitoes is extremely important. Mosquito control treatments performed by professionals can help reduce these pests by targeting adult mosquitoes and larvae throughout your property. There are many factors that determine how beneficial these treatments are in helping protect you, your family, and your property.
Mosquito season typically runs from April until October. Warm season is a major factor when it comes to their activity. They are highly attracted to standing water and will usually lay their eggs there for survival. This is common for mosquitoes because they only need a small amount of water to do so. Once these eggs hatch, it can be difficult to try and control them.
If mosquitoes have hatched and are roaming your property, they can find their way inside your home. They are small which allows them to easily fit inside of holes or gaps leading into your house. It’s essential for windows and doors to have screens that are in good condition to help keep them out. If they make it inside, mosquitoes will search for a perfect place to lay eggs.
Female mosquitoes will bite and feed on humans and animals. This is because they require a blood meal to lay fertile eggs. The bites they leave can become red, itchy, and irritating for both humans and animals. Mosquito bites are also dangerous because they can spread viruses such as West Nile or Zika. To avoid mosquito bites, you should take precautions when you know you will be outside during the peak season. You can use EPA-registered mosquito repellants or wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
With mosquito treatments, a pest professional can inspect your property to identify the resting and breeding areas. This will allow them to eliminate these pests more effectively. These services are recommended monthly during peak mosquito season to help you have a bite-free spring and summer! If you are concerned with mosquitoes on your property, contact your local pest control company for a free inspection!
Aug 3, 2021 | Going Green, Mosquito
Mosquito season is here! Summer rain brings humidity which allows mosquitoes to thrive during these months. Although mosquito season starts in spring, peak season is during the summer when temperatures are the hottest. Mosquito bites leave behind itchy, red welts and can also transmit dangerous diseases to humans and pets. Fortunately, there are a handful of green pest control options that you can use to control mosquitoes. Below are three steps you can take for green mosquito control.
Identify Nesting and Resting Sites
The first step to mosquito prevention is identifying and eliminating what attracts them in the first place. Mosquitoes tend to come around in search of nesting sites and resting sites. All species of mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. While the type of water source may vary between species, it only takes a tiny amount of water for mosquitoes to hatch and develop. You can get rid of any potential breeding sites by:
- Cleaning up debris around your home. Moisture can accumulate under piles of leaves, boards, mulch, rocks, and other outdoor items.
- Walking around your yard and identifying any items that can hold water, such as pots, bird baths, toys, and planters. Empty them and store them upside down when not in use.
- Repairing any poor drainage sites in your yard as this can lead to standing water.
Protect Yourself from Bites
You should protect yourself from mosquito bites whenever you can. You can do so by:
- Blowing them away. Any breeze makes it difficult for mosquitoes to fly. If you plan on spending time outdoors, consider using fans. Keep the air flow from the fans pointed at the lower half of your body as mosquitoes tend to fly closer to the ground to avoid the wind.
- Avoiding peak mosquito hours. Mosquitoes tend to feed at dawn and dusk.
- Applying insect repellent before going outdoors. When applying repellent, spray it onto your hands and rub it into your skin instead of spraying it directly on you.
- Considering the use of plants that repel mosquitoes around your home such as citronella, lavender, lemongrass, marigolds, and basil.
Applying Green Mosquito Treatments
Mosquito treatments vary in both effectiveness and longevity depending on where you live and what kind of climate you have. Regardless of your location, a green mosquito control program can be effective at helping control mosquitoes. Green mosquito control utilizes eco-friendly products that are just as effective as traditional products.
Our green mosquito reduction program includes an inspection to identify resting and nesting sites, larvicide and adulticides to target all aspects of the population, source reduction and elimination by removing any areas of standing water, plus a service guarantee where they can come back between treatments if needed, usually at no cost.
If you have a problem with mosquitoes or any other pests, contact your local professional pest control company. They should be able to provide you with a thorough inspection and the most up-to-date traditional and green treatment options available for you.
Jun 23, 2021 | Mosquito
Your backyard can be a great place to entertain and spend time with your family and friends, except when there are mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the warmer months also mean mosquitoes. Nothing can ruin your time outside faster than being bitten by these pests. They can spread diseases to humans and pets. Mosquitoes might seem like an annoyance that you can easily swat away, but they can be a big problem. They’re almost impossible to avoid completely unless you plan to stay inside all summer. Below are some steps you can take to mosquito-proof your yard this summer.
Eliminate Standing Water
Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The best approach for mosquito control is to stop them from showing up in the first place. Therefore, you need to eliminate any standing water in your yard. Even the smallest puddle can support larvae. This includes kiddie pools, plant trays, gutters, and garbage cans. The only exception is a swimming pool because the chlorine drives them away.
Standing water on your lawn is also an issue. After each rainstorm, check for areas where water seems to pool and takes a while to drain. If it happens regularly in the same area, you may have a drainage issue that needs some work to prevent water from pooling and becoming a breeding ground for insects.
Use Fans
If you are spending time on a deck, patio, or around a pool, a fan can help you keep mosquitoes away. They are weak fliers, so the wind from fans makes it hard for them to get close enough to bite. Also, mosquitoes are attracted to higher body temperatures. So, while the fan is keeping your body temperature cool, it’s also keeping mosquitoes away. A ceiling fan is great for any covered outdoor area, and oscillating fans around other parts of your yard will help drive them away.
Mosquito Treatments
Green mosquito treatments are a very effective way to get rid of mosquitoes. They not only help reduce mosquito activity, but they’re eco-friendly by protecting the beneficial pests around your home. These types of mosquito treatments are great if your own efforts aren’t working, or you live near a water source.
To start a mosquito control program, contact your local pest control company. They will come inspect your landscaping, make recommendations, and develop a mosquito reduction plan that is designed for your property. After your yard has been treated for mosquitoes, your pest control provider will continue to monitor the property and provide monthly treatments during mosquito season, to ensure ongoing protection and mosquito bite prevention.
The best way to control mosquitoes in your yard is by using multiple approaches. If you follow all of these steps, you can effectively reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard and enjoy your time outside this summer.
