It’s lovely living in Florida this time of year when everything is warming up and coming into bloom. Many homeowners are choosing to spend more and more time outside, soaking in the sunshine and gathering with friends and loved ones. But when the temperature rises, we aren’t the only ones coming out of hibernation. And while a barbeque or pool party is fun in theory, it’s something that can be easily ruined by swarms of mosquitoes. What can we do about these blood-hungry pests? You may have heard of homemade mosquito repellents that you can execute on your own - but do they all work as advertised? Can you really fix a mosquito infestation without an exterminator? Let’s talk about it below.
Does Home Mosquito Repellent Work?
There is no shortage of DIY mosquito solutions posted online. They make a lot of big claims that, when put to the test, don’t come off nearly as well as advertised. Maybe you’ve seen the mosquito repellent bracelets that brand themselves as being able to keep away the bloodsucking pests, purely through the strength of the natural oils infused in the material. And it might be true. Some studies have shown that these bracelets can repel mosquitoes…for a whopping radius of three centimeters. Bug zappers are also used by some to kill passing pests, including mosquitoes. But if you have an active infestation on your property with bugs breeding somewhere on your grounds, killing a few passing insects won’t do much to solve the problem. In fact, the light of the bug zapper could result in more pests being drawn straight to you and your household. These are just two of many supposed “solutions” that fall short of success. With that in mind, is there anything you can do to help keep mosquitoes off your property?
DIY Mosquito Control to Try
If you have an active mosquito infestation, you need a professional mosquito exterminator. But there are steps you can take to limit the risk of these pests being drawn to your property. For instance, you likely know that mosquitoes breed in bodies of still water. And since these bodies of water could be as small as a thimble, it’s impossible to completely eliminate all excess moisture from your yard. What you can do is clean your birdbaths, empty out pails and buckets, and make sure your yard is not overwatered. Doing this will limit the more accessible opportunities for mosquitoes to set up shop. You can also incorporate box fans on your porch or patio, or anywhere else you plan on spending time outdoors. With a constant flow of air, mosquitoes won’t be tempted to land and feed. Of course, doing this won’t stop them from breeding in other parts of your property. To address an infestation at its root, you need the help of an expert.
Arrow Environmental Services for “Mosquito Extermination Near Me”
Mosquitoes are quick to breed, and even just a few insects can balloon into a major problem. You don’t want to play host to a pest that spreads itchy bumps and potential diseases. While blogs and articles online make a lot of lofty promises, more often than not their “life hacks” result in wasted time and money with no results. Invest your energy in tangible results by teaming up with Arrow Environmental Services. Our technicians are backed by years of experience in combating mosquito infestations. In terms of mosquito extermination in Florida, we’re the industry leaders with solutions you can count on. Ready to learn more and enjoy an itch-free summer? Contact us today to get started.
There is much to love about Florida. Sunny days, gorgeous beaches, and blue water are all conducive to outdoor gatherings with family and friends. Unfortunately, this also exposes you to one of nature's most annoying pests, the mosquito. Due to the warm, wet weather, mosquitoes can be found nearly year-round in . However, the “Official Mosquito Season” is also the rainy season running from June to October. They thrive during this time of year and are most active during dusk and dawn when out searching for food. Females need the protein from blood to produce eggs and they’re relentless in the search for a source. These bites can cause more than just itchy welts. Mosquitoes can pass on dangerous diseases to humans and pets. Such as the Zika Virus, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever, and West Nile Virus, as well as heartworms in dogs and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses.
Mosquito Facts
They have been around for over 100 million years.
There are over 2700 species of which 176 species live in the US.
Only females bite, they need protein from blood to produce eggs.
Females lay 100 - 300 eggs at a time which over a lifetime equals 1,000 to 3,000.
Mosquitoes go from egg to biting adults in 4-7 days.
They are attracted by infrared radiation (warm bodies) and by chemical signals we give off such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
Mosquitoes find you by sight and are attracted by your movements.
A few types of mosquitoes will only fly a few yards from where they hatched to feed. More typically adults will fly a mile or two.
Protecting Your Home and Family
Mosquitoes are attracted to standing, stagnant water as these are prime nursery locations. Non-circulating water acts as an incubator for their eggs. It only takes a small amount of water to host their eggs. If you have ponds, aerate the water. Change the water in horse troughs often. Fill in any low-lying areas in your yard so water doesn’t pool. Turn buckets and other containers upside down. Change bird bath water weekly. Keep your swimming pool clean. Repair any leaking faucets. Clean debris from rain gutters. Drill holes in tire swings. Check window screens for holes and repair them if needed. Put a cover on your boats. Check tarps for folds or low spots where water can accumulate. Remove old tires or drill holes in them. Cover trash cans, or drill holes in bottoms for water to drain. Keep your yard and landscaping maintained. Mosquitoes not only love water, but they too enjoy the shade on a hot day. Keep your lawn mowed and bushes trimmed. Be sure to remove any piles of dead plant material and eliminate overgrown weedy areas. This removes any shady spots adult mosquitoes love to hide in.Check around your property up to 100 yards out for the above issues. Remember it only takes a small amount of standing water to incubate eggs. Hiding away indoors is impractical, so when outdoors, you could try wearing loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts and pants. Some studies have shown mosquitoes are attracted by dark colors such as black, red, aqua, and orange.
Mosquito Control Experts
At , our comprehensive pest control services help keep insects away from your home in the spring and all year round. If you’re not able to enjoy your outdoor space because of mosquitoes, we can help. With over 65 years of experience, has the experience to provide quality pest control. Want to know more? Contact us today for a free quote!
