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!
Jul 18, 2023 | Mosquito
Ah, summertime! The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and the mosquitoes are out in full force. Yes, mosquitoes, those pesky insects that enjoy nothing more than buzzing around your head and leaving behind itchy, irritating bites. Not only are mosquito bites annoying, but they can also transmit diseases such as West Nile, Zika, and dengue fever. So, it’s important to prevent mosquito bites by placing preventative measures throughout your property to help eliminate these pests in your yard.
Here are some do-it-yourself tips for preventing mosquito bites:
- Wear protective clothing: When you’re going to be spending time outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover your skin. Light-colored clothing is also a good idea, as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
- Use mosquito repellent: Look for mosquito repellent products that contain DEET.
- Avoid peak mosquito hours: Mosquitoes are most active during dusk hours, so try to avoid spending time outside during these times if possible.
- Use screens: Make sure your windows and doors have screens that are in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
Now, let’s talk about how to eliminate mosquitoes in your yard:
- Eliminate items that can hold water, including toys, buckets, pet bowls, tarps, old tires, and hollowed logs or stumps.
- Utilize screens on all windows and doors if you keep them open.
- Clean your gutters of leaves and debris to prevent pooling and standing water.
- Keep your pools, ponds, and bird baths clean every few days.
Mosquitoes can be a real nuisance in the summertime, but by taking these steps to prevent bites and eliminate mosquitoes in your yard, you can enjoy your time outdoors without worrying about these annoying insects. If you notice more mosquitoes around your yard than you are comfortable with, consider reaching out to your local pest control company for a free inspection.
May 30, 2023 | Mosquito
Summer is here, and so are mosquitoes. These pesky insects are known for their itchy, irritating bites, but have you ever wondered why mosquitoes bite in the first place? Let’s explore the reasons behind mosquito bites and share some tips for preventing and treating them.
Why do mosquitoes bite?
Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite, and they do it to obtain the protein they need to develop their eggs. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and other chemicals that humans and animals emit when they breathe and produce heat and moisture. When a mosquito lands on your skin, it uses its proboscis (a long, needle-like mouthpart) to pierce your skin and suck your blood. As it feeds, it injects saliva into your skin, which can cause an allergic reaction and result in itchiness and swelling.
How to treat a mosquito bite:
- Wash the affected area with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the bite to reduce swelling and relieve itching. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams and lotions containing ingredients like hydrocortisone, calamine, or menthol can also be helpful but always check with your doctor before utilizing one.
- Avoid scratching the bite, as this can increase the risk of infection and prolong healing time.
Mosquito bite prevention tips:
Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid the discomfort they can cause. Here are some tips for keeping mosquitoes at bay:
- Use insect repellent: Apply an EPA-approved insect repellent to your skin and clothing before going outdoors. Look for products containing DEET.
- Wear protective clothing: Cover as much skin as possible by wearing long sleeves and pants.
- Avoid peak mosquito hours: Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, so try to limit outdoor activities during these times.
- Remove standing water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so remove any sources of standing water from your property, such as bird baths, clogged gutters, or flowerpots.
- Use screens: Install screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
If you have concerns about mosquitoes in your area, be sure to consult with your local mosquito control company for a customized mosquito prevention plan!
Mar 16, 2023 | Mosquito
Laurens Mosquito Control: Green Mosquito Options
Living in the south, especially Laurens, South Carolina, is known to come with many pests once the weather begins to warm up. The extra humidity is heaven to pests, especially mosquitoes. Besides leaving behind itchy, red welts when they bite humans, they can also pose a serious health risk.
One of the best methods in preventing mosquitoes is by investing in a mosquito control program with your local green pest control company. There are many programs to choose from, but the eco-friendly choice is a green mosquito control option.
Benefits to Green Mosquito Program:
- Eco-Friendly
- Derived from flowers and botanicals
- Applied strategically around property
- Effectively reduces both larva and adult mosquitoes
While a green mosquito program is effective at keeping mosquitoes away, it’s also important to eliminate any other mosquito attractants near your property. One thing you can begin doing is eliminating standing water around the property. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in as little as .5” of standing water, so ridding your property of that is a big help. Some ways to reduce standing water are by keeping your gutters clean, repairing poor drainage sites, and replacing bird bath water daily.
If you notice more mosquitoes than usual, it might be time to call your local pest control company. Their mosquito experts will be able to assist you with getting an eco-friendly mosquito program set up.
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.
