Not to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s important for you to be aware that mosquito season is quickly approaching. We don’t like to think of these pests any more than we must, but it can be helpful to start preparing for mosquitoes before they arrive.
The end of winter brings melting snow. The beginning of spring brings rain and mud. What do these two seasons have in common? A lot of dampness - mosquitoes' favorite environment! They reside in areas that offer moisture (so they don’t dry out) and water, which allows them to breed.
Thomas Pest Services advises you to put some prevention steps in place sooner rather than later. Mosquitoes may be small, but their threats are severe. They’ve been known to spread Malaria, dengue fever, encephalitis, West Nile virus, and more. Some of these diseases are more common outside the United States, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t affected here. For example, West Nile Virus has affected many in the United States. Zika virus has made an appearance in some areas, as well.
A few prevention methods we suggest:
Eliminate standing water and moisture as you are able. Mosquitoes will breed in both water and soft soil.
Make sure to clean up any debris around the yard. This could either harbor water or prevent the sun from drying that area of soil out.
If you can’t part with your bird baths, be sure to change the water frequently.
The life cycle of a mosquito can range from just four days to a full month. However, it’s important to note that mosquito eggs can survive dry conditions for a couple of months. Once they receive water, they only take a day or two to hatch.
Other helpful DIY prevention steps include:
Installing screens on all your windows.
Wearing long sleeves and pants.
Using insect repellent.
Avoiding outdoor activity between dusk and dawn.
Avoiding using bug zappers (they don’t kill female mosquitoes, which are the biters).
Trimming back shrubs and mowing grass regularly to prevent hiding places.
Contacting professional pest services.
If you’re worried about mosquitoes this season, contact Thomas Pest Services. We’ll do our part to make sure your property is as mosquito-free as possible. While we can’t narrow the population down to zero, our treatments will get you the next best result. With fewer mosquitoes, you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about these nuisance pests and the dangers they pose. You may find it helpful to learn more about how effective mosquito control is, and the reasons we treat the perimeter of each home we service. Now is the time to start thinking about mosquitoes. Contact Thomas Pest Services to get a plan of action in place.