Oct 29, 2024 | Florida Mosquito Control
Living in Pompano Beach means enjoying sunny days and warm evenings, but it also means dealing with mosquitoes. If you’re still seeing these pesky pests buzzing around your property, you’re not alone! Even with efforts to control them, mosquitoes can be a consistent problem in South Florida. Let’s break down why you might still see them take over your yard and, more importantly, what you can do for mosquito reduction!
Why Mosquitoes Stick Around
Mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid environments like Pompano. If you have even the smallest amounts of standing water or lush greenery, you may be giving them the perfect breeding ground. It’s easy to miss places where water collects, like in plant saucers, clogged gutters, or even toys left outside!
Another reason they stick around? Mosquitoes are excellent at hiding during the day and coming out in the evening when it cools down, making it seem like they’re never really gone.
What You Can Do Today For Mosquito Reduction
The good news is you can take action now to help reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property.
- Check for Standing Water: Walk around your yard and look for anything that could hold water. Birdbaths, flowerpots, kiddie pools, and even bottle caps can attract mosquitoes. Dump the water, rinse it out, and look to keep these areas dry.
- Maintain Your Yard: Trim back shrubs, bushes, and tall grass where mosquitoes like to rest. A well-maintained yard not only looks great but also cuts down on mosquito hiding spots.
- Consider Mosquito Repellents: Sprays and citronella candles can help, especially when you’re spending time outdoors. For a more long-term solution, consider professional mosquito treatment options.
- Schedule Professional Mosquito Control: If you’ve done everything you can and mosquitoes are still around, it might be time for professional service. Recurring mosquito treatments create a barrier around your home, keeping mosquitoes from breeding and biting your family and pets.
Mosquito season in Pompano can feel never-ending, but with a few simple steps, you can regain control of your yard. By addressing the root causes and keeping up with treatments, you can reduce the number of mosquitoes buzzing around. If you’re still battling these pests, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local pest control company for help! These professionals will provide you with a free inspection and recommendations on the best treatment and prevention plan based on your mosquito situation.
Sep 11, 2024 | Florida Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes are a year-round concern in Florida, but there are seasons when they’re more active and seasons when you can expect a bit of relief from their constant buzzing! Understanding when mosquito season in Florida ends and how to prevent these pests from taking over your yard can make a big difference in your comfort and overall home environment.
When Does Mosquito Season End in Florida?
In most parts of the country, mosquito season typically winds down as temperatures drop in the fall. But in Florida, where the climate stays warm and humid practically year-round, mosquitoes can be active for much longer. The mosquito season in Florida usually starts in early spring and can last until late fall or even into winter, especially in South Florida.
However, as temperatures dip below 50°F, mosquito activity tends to see a decrease. This usually happens around November or December, depending on where you are in Florida. In northern parts of the state, you could see fewer mosquitoes as early as late October, while in southern areas, they could be buzzing around well into December. While mosquito activity may taper off in certain months, it’s still crucial to continue protecting your home year-round so they don’t take over your yard.
DIY Tips to Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Yard
While it can feel like avoiding mosquitoes on your property is an endless battle, there are plenty of ways you can keep them from completely taking over your property. Check out some easy DIY prevention tips to help deter these pesky insects:
- Eliminate Standing Water: Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, so it’s important to get rid of these water sources. Check for areas where water can collect, like birdbaths, flowerpots, clogged gutters, and kiddie pools. Dump out the water and, if possible, remove or cover these items to prevent water from accumulating again.
- Use Mosquito-Repellent Plants: Consider adding citronella, lavender, marigolds, or basil to your garden or patio area. Not only do these plants help keep mosquitoes away, but they also add a nice touch of greenery to your yard.
- Keep Your Lawn and Shrubs Trimmed: Keeping your lawn well-manicured can help reduce mosquitoes hiding spots. Regularly trimming your grass, hedges, and shrubs will make your yard less inviting to mosquitoes.
- Install Screens or Use Mosquito Netting: If you enjoy spending time outside, consider installing mosquito screens on your porch or using mosquito netting around outdoor seating areas.
- Light Up Your Yard Wisely: Mosquitoes are attracted to certain types of light, particularly incandescent bulbs. Consider switching to yellow or LED lights for your outdoor fixtures, which are less attractive to mosquitoes.
While mosquito season in Florida can seem never-ending, understanding when it typically winds down and taking proactive steps to prevent mosquitoes in your yard can help you enjoy the outdoors with fewer mosquito bites. If you see more mosquito activity in your yard than you’re comfortable with, call a mosquito control company near you. These mosquito control professionals will inspect your yard, provide source reduction, recommend elimination techniques, and target adult and larvae mosquitoes.
Jun 27, 2024 | DIY Pest Control, Florida Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes can quickly turn a pleasant evening in your yard into an itchy nightmare! These pesky bugs thrive in Florida’s warm, humid climate, and can often be active almost year-round! One of the best ways you can avoid their infestation is placing easy, do-it-yourself preventative measures throughout your property to avoid them! Here are some of our favorite strategies to reduce mosquitoes around your Florida property.
Effective Strategies to Reduce Mosquito Activity
Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitoes need standing water to breed and need only a cap-sized amount of water to do so. It’s important to eliminate any standing water throughout your home. Look to remove items from your yard that can hold water, including buckets, toys, unused flowerpots, pet bowls, etc. Likewise, fix any leaky pipes and clear your gutters of leaves and debris so they do not clog.
Keep your Yard Clean & Tidy
Your yard is the first line of defense against mosquitoes taking over your property. Mosquitoes will rest in dense vegetation, so it’s important to keep your lawn well-trimmed, bushes and shrubs pruned. Additionally, continue your lawn maintenance by mowing your grass frequently. If you store wood, look to place it at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground.
Create a Barrier
Mosquitoes are small, fitting in the smallest hole or gap leading indoors. Ensure that all your windows and doors are fitted with screens to prevent them from entering the home. Likewise, for your outdoor areas, consider using mosquito nets or screens around patios and porches to avoid their infestation.
Consider Professional Help
Do-it-yourself mosquito prevention can only go so far, especially if mosquitoes have infested in droves. If there has been an influx of mosquitoes on your property, consider calling a professional mosquito control company near you for help. These experts will provide you with a mosquito control plan, usually including a thorough inspection, mosquito reduction plan, treatment to eliminate adult and larva mosquitoes, and recommendations on preventing mosquitoes in the future.
May 21, 2024 | DIY Mosquito Control, Florida Mosquito Control
As a Florida resident, dealing with mosquito season each year can start to feel like a never-ending battle! Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can deter these pests from your property. We breakdown a guide on mosquito prevention you can utilize to protect your family and property in Florida from these pests!
Mosquito Prevention in Florida
Protect Yourself
To survive and breed, female mosquitoes need a blood meal, often looking to humans and pets for it. Mosquitoes will transfer diseases and viruses, including the Zika virus, dengue, West Nile virus, and more, making it crucial to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites during their peak season. One of the best ways to deter mosquitoes from biting you and your family is utilizing mosquito repellent that contains DEET. Repellents with DEET can be very effective as they will block the mosquitoes CO2 receptors. We recommend spraying it onto your hands and running it over your skin instead of spraying it directly onto the skin.
Protect Your Yard
Your lawn is the first line of defense against mosquitoes taking over. The best way to avoid mosquito infestations is to maintain your lawn and place preventative measures throughout your yard to deter them away. Mosquitoes only need the smallest amount of standing water to breed, so it’s important to remove any potential breeding sites throughout your property. Inspect your yard and remove items that can hold water, leaves and debris, clogged gutters, and drainage sites. Likewise, look to trim trees and shrubs that are overgrown and continue your ongoing mowing schedule.
Protect Your Home
Have you ever had to deal with a constant buzzing sound in your home? If so, you know how annoying it can be, especially when you can’t find the culprit! To keep mosquitoes from sneaking into your home, confirm that your windows and doors screens are in good condition, replacing any torn ones if needed. During peak mosquito season, try to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Consider Mosquito Treatments
While placing these measures throughout your home will always support mosquito prevention efforts, sometimes it’s best to reach out to a mosquito control company near you for even more support. Consider hiring a reputable Florida mosquito control company to inspect your property, identify breeding sites, and implement targeted treatments to reduce mosquito populations effectively.
May 2, 2024 | DIY Mosquito Control, Florida Mosquito Control
Dealing with mosquitoes is almost a year-round endeavor for Florida homeowners. Florida’s humid and hot weather is the perfect environment for these pesky insects to thrive. Unfortunately, we often deal with their itchy, irritating bites. So why do mosquitoes bite in the first place? And what are the best ways to prevent mosquitoes from biting us and taking over our yards? Let’s breakdown mosquito bites and easy do-it-yourself methods to prevent them.
Why do mosquitoes bite?
To obtain the protein to develop eggs, female mosquitoes will bite animals and humans. Female mosquitoes will locate a host by the carbon dioxide we exhale, heat, and even body odor. When a mosquito lands on your skin, it will use its proboscis or their long, needle-like mouthpart, to pierce your skin and suck your blood. While the mosquito is feeding, it will inject its saliva onto your skin, which can cause an allergic reaction and result in itchiness and swelling. Mosquitoes will bite and feed on blood until they have consumed enough and are full.
How can I avoid mosquito bites?
Depending on the person, mosquito bites can cause an allergic reaction and are also prone to spread disease, including the Zika virus, West Nile, and Encephalitis, so it’s important to take precautions before you go outside during peak mosquito season and maintain your yard to avoid their infestation. There are several do-it-yourself tips to prevent mosquito bites you can utilize:
- Use mosquito repellent: Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET to your skin before going outdoors during peak mosquito time; make sure to rub the repellent on your skin instead of only spraying it.
- Wear protective clothing: If you’ll be outside for a long period of time, consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover your skin. Since mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, consider wearing light-colored clothing instead.
- Use screens: Install screens on your windows and doors making sure they are in good repair during mosquito season.
- Remove standing water: Mosquitoes use standing water to survive and breed. Remove any items that could hold water, especially after a rainstorm, such as toys, buckets, pet bowls, tarps, old tires, and hollowed logs or stumps.
Eliminating and controlling mosquitoes can feel like an endless battle during Florida’s spring and summer months, even with preventative measures in place. But you don’t have to battle mosquitoes alone! Contact the nearest pest control company for a thorough inspection, effective mosquito control plan, and recommendations on preventing mosquitoes in the future!
Mar 19, 2024 | Florida Mosquito Control
Florida’s tropical weather creates a thriving mosquito environment, often dealing with these nuisance pests year-round. Once mosquitoes invade your yard, they can ruin all your outdoor fun and even transmit diseases, including the West Nile and Zika viruses. One of the best ways you can avoid mosquitoes is creating a less-attractive environment. We breakdown our top 3 mosquito prevention tips you can use throughout your property so you can enjoy your yard again!
3 Common Mosquito Control Tips for Florida Residents
Remove Standing Water
To survive and breed more larva mosquitoes, these pests need the smallest amount of standing water. It’s crucial to remove all standing water from your property, especially after a thunderstorm. Consider the following tips to reduce moisture on your property:
- Remove items that can hold water, including buckets, empty flowerpots, and pet bowls.
- If you have a bird bath, regularly dump old water, clean out debris, and replace the old water with new.
- Clean out clogged gutters of debris and leaves so they doesn’t create a mosquito breeding ground.
Keep a Tidy Yard
Your yard line is the first defense in avoiding mosquitoes so it’s crucial to maintain it on a regular basis; consider these tips on keeping a tidy yard:
- Continue to mow your grass and trim shrubbery as mosquitoes tend to hide in these areas.
- Trim any overgrown trees back to avoid mosquitoes from populating your yard.
- If you store wood on your property, consider placing it in plastic containers with lids and at least 20 feet away from the house.
Call the Pros
Do-it-yourself mosquito prevention will always help efforts in avoiding a mosquito infestation but sometimes it’s best to call a professional mosquito control company for help. These experts will be able to provide you with a mosquito control plan, which typically include:
- Mosquito breeding site identification
- Treatment to eliminate both adult and larva mosquitoes
- Recommendations on preventing mosquitoes in the future
- Additional mosquito control solutions, including the In2Care System
If you have a problem with mosquitoes or would like to start mosquito prevention now, call your Florida pest control company today!
Feb 29, 2024 | Florida Mosquito Control
It’s safe to say that all Florida homeowners dread the arrival of mosquito season! It’s inevitable to run into these insects but that doesn’t mean they have to take over your yard. We breakdown common DIY mosquito control tips you can utilize in your yard!
DIY Mosquito Prevention Tips for Florida Homeowners
Eliminate Standing Water
To survive and breed, mosquitoes only need a small amount of water and will look to your yard for it. One of the best ways to repel mosquitoes from your property is to reduce standing water throughout it. Remove any items that could hold water for more than a week and become a mosquito breeding ground, including empty flowerpots, buckets, tires, toys, and pet bowls. For items that tend to stay outside, like birdbaths and gutters, make sure you are regularly cleaning them, clearing out old water and debris.
Consider a Fan or Two
Your back porch or patio can quickly be taken over by mosquitoes and ruin your outdoor fun. Mosquitoes are weak fliers and are easily manipulated by wind. Consider utilizing fans to help deter them from getting close to you in certain outdoor areas. Fans can also work to disperse carbon dioxide and other mosquito attractant odors our warm-blooded bodies let off.
Plant Natural Repellents
Certain plants and oils can deter mosquitoes naturally from your Florida home. You can mix essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus, peppermint, or tea tree with water and vinegar to repel mosquitoes. Likewise, there are several plants you can plant in your yard to deter mosquitoes, including citronella, lavender, marigold, rosemary, thyme, and basil.
Keep a Tidy Yard
Adult mosquitoes tend to rest in shaded, cool areas so it’s important to create an environment without these factors to keep them away. Continue maintaining your yard by keeping your grass mowed frequently and keeping shrubbery trimmed. If your yard has wood or lawn debris, it’s best to clean up as soon as possible or relocate it at least 20 feet away from the property.
Call Your Florida Pest Provider
While the above DIY tips can provide mosquito-relief sometimes it’s best to call a professional for an ongoing solution to mosquito activity. A pest control provider near you will provide you with a thorough inspection and recommend the best mosquito control options for your home based on your mosquito situation. These mosquito professionals will also provide you with further tips and tricks on avoiding mosquito infestations in the future.
Oct 20, 2023 | Florida Mosquito Control
In Florida, it can seem like mosquito activity will never end. With our tropical, humid weather, mosquitoes thrive and invade our yards looking for standing water to breed. Besides being a nuisance, these pests can also pose health hazards to both humans and animals, transmitting diseases like the West Nile virus and the Zika virus. So, when does mosquito season end in South Florida?
Mosquito Season in Florida
The official mosquito season typically runs from around March through September or October. Though, since Florida is in a tropical area, mosquito season tends to be year-round, often starting as early as February and ending as late as November. While it’s not ideal to deal with mosquitoes year-round, there are certain things you can do around your home to prevent these pests from taking over your yard. Check out our do-it-yourself mosquito control steps you can take to help minimize mosquitoes around your property:
- Eliminate Standing Water: Inspect your property and look for items that can hold water and remove them, including buckets, flowerpots, bird feeders, old tires, wheelbarrows, and more.
- Clean Gutters: Clogged gutters will create a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, who only need a small amount of water to do so. Make sure your gutters are free of debris and leaves, especially after a rainstorm.
- Fill in Hollow Areas: Low lying areas like ditches can collect water, make sure you fill them in with dirt if you spot them. Likewise, make sure to check for logs and stumps holding water and remove them as they can provide a place for mosquitoes to habitat during the cold weather.
- Seal Gaps: Inspect your foundation for any openings and holes, repairing them as soon as you can with caulk or wool steel depending on the size. Likewise, inspect your door and window screens for openings throughout your home and replace them if needed.
- Tidy Your Yard: Mosquitoes like tall grass, shrubbery, and damp woodpiles, making it important to keep your grass mowed and cut your shrubs back regularly. Likewise, store your wood piles at least 20 feet from your home and elevate it off the ground.
- Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants: Citronella, lavender, marigolds, rosemary, thyme, and basil are all plants and flowers that can help repel mosquitoes because of the oils they contain, consider planting these in your yard.
- Consider a Pro: Fighting mosquitoes can feel like a never-ending battle when you live in South Florida; consider calling a professional pest control company who can provide a mosquito elimination service and control options to prevent them in the future. These mosquito professionals will inspect your yard, provide source reduction, recommend elimination techniques, and target adult and larvae mosquitoes.
Oct 3, 2023 | Florida Mosquito Control, Florida Pest Control
Mosquito season is still in full swing in Homestead, Florida, which means there’s still time to implement some mosquito prevention strategies to lessen the population of mosquitoes around your property. Let’s go over the best tips to get started right away.
Florida Mosquito Prevention
Prevention Tip 1: Remove All Standing Water
Mosquitoes love standing water and even utilize these areas as breeding grounds. The easiest way to identify the worst of these areas is noticing clouds of mosquitoes flying above still bodies of water such as ponds and lakes. If you have any stagnant water in your garden or yard, whether it’s a bird bath, bucket, pool cover, gutters, or even some landscaping, it’s best to remove it or change out the water. Additionally, remove any mosquito eggs that have been deposited along the edges of these items by scrubbing the surfaces.
Prevention Tip 2: Maintain Your Landscaping
Did you know that mosquitoes, just like humans, prefer to be out of the sunshine every once in a while? They prefer to hang out in tall grass, shrubbery, bushes, and foliage. Here are some quick tips to help maintain your lawn to lessen mosquitoes:
- Trim bushes, tree limbs, etc.
- Mow lawn regularly
- Use plants that act as natural mosquito deterrents – Citronella, Lavender, Marigold, Basil, and Catnip!
Prevention Tip 3: Recurring Mosquito Service
Mosquitoes can seem like an endless battle, but you should never have to handle it alone. There are several mosquito control options you can invest in for your Homestead property. A local Florida pest control company can provide you with a mosquito reduction plan that is perfect for your needs and schedule. Request a FREE mosquito estimate today!
