Controlling a mosquito infestation is part of keeping yourself and your family safe. If you have mosquitoes on your property, here are some ideas on how to control them.
Mosquitoes are a common foe throughout the world. Wherever you live, you are never far from shallow water which these bugs use to breed. If your property has too many breeding ponds, then you are at serious risk of a mosquito infestation. Not only are you and your family likely to suffer an excess of bug bites as a result, but depending on where you live, you could be breaking the law. Let’s get to know the enemy with a short review of mosquito facts before we learn about controlling them.
What’s so bad about a Mosquito?
A mosquito is just a little bug with a big bite, right? Unfortunately, there is a little more to it than that. The US Environmental Protection Agency reports over 200 species of mosquito in the US. These bugs frequent any country that is warm in summer. According to National Geographic, there are over 3,000 species of mosquito all over the world.
A mosquito bite can irritate the skin. It can become infected as you scratch it, leading to you or your pet gaining painful wounds. Although causing an itchy spot is bad enough, the bites can come with added diseases. Minus the diseases, a mosquito bite can inject poison into your bloodstream, which will start to track up towards your heart. If you have any lines emerging from a bite, you should seek immediate treatment.
What Sort of Diseases do Mosquitos Carry?
This harmless tiny fly can inject anyone they bite with a variety of illnesses. The hotter the country, the worse those diseases seem to be. Diseases you might catch from a mosquito bite include:
- Chikungunya – found in the states since 2013 but originally an Asian and African virus.
- Dengue
- Jamestown Canyon Virus
- La Crosse Encephalitis, which effects children.
- Malaria
- West Nile Virus.
- Western Equine Virus, which harms people, horses, and birds.
- Yellow Fever
- Zika virus
Any of these diseases will either kill you or cause serious harm without treatment. Mosquitos are nasty, not because of the bite, but because of the bacteria.
How to Prevent Mosquito Infestations?
If you find your property has a mosquito problem, it is your job to eradicate them before the EPA shows up and orders you to do it.
Try Mosquito Fogging
Controlling the number of bugs on your property can help when it comes to any kind of infestation. Choosing mosquito fogging services allows you to spray for mosquitos, keeping them away for anything from 72 hours to a full two weeks. Repeat this process long enough, and the mosquitos will give up on your area.
Find the Source
Mosquitos bread by laying larvae in water. Any standing water around your property that is deeper than a quarter inch is a viable breeding place. Making sure there are no places where water can pool in the summer is a useful first step in eliminating the breeding sites on your property. Less breeding means less mosquitos.
Keep Your Pet Indoors
Preventing fleas, ticks, and mosquito bites is harder in summer. You ought to keep your pets out of the strong sun anyway, so bringing them inside on hot days makes sense. It can stop them getting bites, but it cannot stop the infestation problem.
Use a Flea Treatment
Certain flea treatments can repel mosquitos and other bugs. This helps prevent bites but again, it doesn’t eradicate the problem at source.
Trim back your Trees
If mosquitos aren’t biting you, they are hanging out in your trees waiting for night-time. Trim those trees and bushes back and you give them less space to live in.
Use Natural Repellents
Legend has it that mosquitos hate the smell of coffee grounds. There are other natural ways to get rid of them, too. Mosquitos don’t like certain plants for example. Keep them off your property by planting lemon thyme, lemon balm, lavender, garlic, and basil.
When Enough is Enough
If you try all the above methods and you still find yourself inundated with mosquito bites, it is time to hire professionals. Call in those specialist mosquito fogging services. Used for lengthy periods of time they might eliminate entire generations of mosquitoes and their larvae. Extermination is a last resort, but when you choose a mosquito fogging service, you don’t need to vacate the property. It’s convenient, great for garden parties, and will give you time to enjoy your yard space like a breath of fresh air.
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