Mosquito Prevention: What You Can Do

 A person scratching mosquito bites as more swarm around them.Springtime in Ashland is marked by the emergence of blooming trees and flowers. With this beauty also comes an unavoidable truth: the beginning of mosquito season. The increase in temperature and rainfall creates the perfect environment for these pests to begin breeding.

Mosquitoes are opportunistic and can lay their eggs in small amounts of water. It is important to start mosquito prevention early; personal measures and professional pest control together can help you be pest-free this year! 

The Dangers of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are not only annoying pests that cause itchy bites, but they can also pose significant danger to humans. These pests are known to transmit several diseases through their bites. Considering mosquitoes feed on a variety of animals and humans the risk for exposure is heightened. Some diseases that mosquitoes can transmit are:

  • West Nile Virus
  • Zika Virus
  • Malaria
  • Dengue Fever

These diseases can range from mild to severe, and in some cases can even be life threatening. Mosquitoes can also cause allergic reactions, such as swelling, redness, and itching around the bite site. Overall, mosquitoes are considered to be one of the deadliest animals on the planet and are responsible for the death of nearly 725,000 people worldwide. Early mosquito prevention is paramount in protecting you and your loved ones from potential health risks! 

Mosquito Prevention Measures: What Works

If you’ve ever tried to get rid of mosquitoes before, then you know that not all DIY techniques work… in fact, many of them don’t. Thankfully, however, there are a few measures that DO work: 

  • Drain Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in standing, stagnant water. They only need a half an inch of water to create a sufficient nursery. By removing standing water in your yard, you can prevent an infestation. Turn over any buckets, flowerpots, or other containers that can collect rainwater. Additionally, fix any leaky outdoor faucet or pipes. 
  • Use Insect Repellent: If you are spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure to use an EPA-approved insect repellent that has at least 25% DEET or picaridin. These are effective repellents that can keep mosquitoes away from you and your family.
  • Mosquito Netting: Nothing ruins a relaxing breeze on a cool summer evening like a mosquito buzzing around your face. Placing mosquito netting on your doors, windows, or around your outside seating area can prevent mosquitoes and other insects from invading your space. 

Mosquito Prevention: What Doesn’t Work

Unfortunately, not all of the ‘solutions’ on the Internet are actually valuable. A lot of online mosquito prevention techniques simply don’t work – or could even worsen your infestation by attracting new pests. Stay away from these less-than effective control methods: 

  • Citronella Candles: While these candles can be effective if you are directly next to them, they are less than ideal for large areas. Citronella candles lose their potency quickly and need to be replaced often. 
  • Essential Oils: These oils have gained in popularity over the years, but they do little to deter mosquitoes from biting you. There is a lack of standardization among essential oil products so the effectiveness is affected. Instead of trusting essential oils, stick with DEET-containing insect repellents. 

Professional Mosquito Control

While there are many ways you can prevent mosquitoes from settling in your yard, the fastest and most effective method you can use is a professional extermination service. The experts with Loyal Termite & Pest Control have been providing superior customer service since 1960. Trust our expertise to provide you and your family with the most effective mosquito control solution for you. Contact us today to get a free quote and start living your life pest-free!

Spring Clean the Pests Away!

As the gloom of winter fades many people begin to plan for their annual spring cleaninga basket of cleaning supplies on a windowsil

marathon. Spring cleaning has many benefits such as decreasing stress, reducing clutter and  improving your overall mental and physical health. Additionally, a spring clean is the best time to check for signs of pests in your home and take preventative measures to ensure your home is not attracting any unwanted guests.

How to Prevent Pests in your Home

While you are spring cleaning, it is important to make sure your home is as attractive to pests as possible. Here are a few steps to add to your cleaning routine that will help keep pests out of your home:

  • Thoroughly Clean Areas Where Pests are Common.

Kitchens can be one of the most attractive areas in your home for pests due to the availability of food and warm hiding spaces. When spring cleaning your kitchen it is important to clean areas where crumbs or spills are common. Clean under large appliances like your refrigerator and oven. Food often gets stuck in these hard to clean areas making it an ideal place for pests.

Spring is also the perfect time to clean out your cabinets and throw away expired or unwanted food. Pests such as rodents, cockroaches and ants are known to invade cluttered cabinets and get into food. Ensure open food products are stored in airtight containers and keep an eye out for any holes or cracks where pests could enter when organizing and cleaning the inside of your cabinets.

Bathrooms are another area where pests are common. They are often attracted to easily available sources of water and are able to enter your home through drains or windows. While cleaning window sills and cabinets, check for holes around your windows and leaking pipes or faucets. Some pests will enter through drain pipes, pouring bleach down your drain will help deter any pests from entering.

  • Reduce Clutter

Many pests such as spiders, rodents or ants will use clutter as a place to hide or build their nests. Other pests, like cockroaches, are known to eat paper and other materials that often make up clutter around your home. Reducing clutter within your home not only makes your house look cleaner and decreases stress but it will also make your home less hospitable to a variety of pests. 

In addition to reducing clutter within your home, also clean any clutter around the outside of your home. Some pests will be attracted to piles of leaves or other piles of organic matter you may have in your yard. Other pests, like mosquitos, are attracted to standing water that can form in places like buckets, tarps and kids toys. Emptying and tidying any areas with standing water will help keep mosquitoes from swarming your yard in the summer.

  • Inspect the Exterior of Your Home

Pests often enter a home through even the smallest holes or cracks in the exterior therefore it is important to examine your foundation and walls for any possible entrance points before vegetation begins to grow in the spring and possibly hide any defects. If you find any holes or cracks, make sure to seal them with caulk or sealant.

During the fall and winter gutters can easily be clogged with leaves and organic matter. This debris can cause standing water which is a perfect breeding ground for pests like mosquitos and easy water sources for many other pests. Cleaning your gutters in spring will not only ensure they are effectively collecting water from your roof but also will keep pests away.

Call a Professional Pest Control Service

Spring is the best time of the year to do preventative pest maintenance to ensure pests do not become a larger problem in the spring or summer. If you are concerned about pests in your home, our team can help keep you cleaner and free of springtime bugs and rodents. With our help, we can create a plan to keep your home pest free all year long!