What Healthcare Facilities Need to Know About Pest Control
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DIY Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes are arguably the most annoying summer pest for Baltimore area residents. Incessant buzzing, painful biting and itchy welts are enough to drive anyone indoors and away from these flying blood suckers. Not only are these insects irritating, but they can carry serious infectious diseases like West Nile Virus, which can cause serious neurological issues and even death.
The early spring weather combined with rains will produce mosquitoes earlier than usual. Here are some tips to enjoy your summer outside with fewer interruptions from mosquitoes.
Personal Protection: Lotions, Sprays, and Towelettes
During mosquito season, it is important to keep your family and pets safe. If you choose to protect your family with mosquito-repellant sprays, look for those that contain a minimum of 10-25% Deet. Deet is the most reliable and lasting active ingredient for use on the skin. If you plan on taking your family on extended wilderness forays, consider selecting a product with at least 50% Deet as the higher the concentration, typically the longer the ingredient will last. Over the counter products containing Deet are also very effective at repelling ticks, chiggers, and some species of biting flies.
Alternatively, plant-based “natural” mosquito repellants offer minimal protection and are rapidly losing favoritism as incidences of West Nile Virus and Encephalitis are on the rise.
Pest-Proof Plants
There are many plants which act as natural mosquito repellent.
- Catnip
- Rosemary
- Marigolds
- Citronella
Planting a few of these in natural landscapes can not only beautify your home but also create a barrier against mosquitoes.
No Standing Water
Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a tablespoon of water. For this reason, ridding your yard of any pools of standing water is vital. After a rain event it is a good idea to do a perimeter check of your property and knock over anything that may remain undisturbed for the week that it takes for mosquito larvae to develop.
For rain barrels designed to capture and store water for use in the garden, it is important to take some preventative measures so you haven’t created a mosquito breeding paradise.
- Adding goldfish will eat mosquito larvae.
- A bit of vegetable oil on the surface of the water will deter female mosquitoes from landing to breed.
- A filter will move the water enough to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Attract Animals that Eat Mosquitoes
Other animals can help decrease the mosquito population around your home. Certain birds, bats, dragon flies, and some species of fish eat either mosquitoes or their larvae.
Bird houses are excellent additions to your yard to attract birds that feast on the biting blood suckers. Purple Martins and Robins are famous for their appetite for flying insects including mosquitoes.
Fish and dragonflies also enjoy eating the wiggling larvae of mosquitoes.
Citronella Candles
Mosquitoes do not like citronella or smoke so citronella candles are the best of both worlds when it comes to keeping the bloodsuckers at bay. Placing these on the perimeter of your deck or patio is a good way to create a deterrent.
Insect Screening
Keeping mosquitoes out of the home is as simple as making sure that window screens and doors are in good operating condition. Insects of any kind are attracted to outdoor lights at night and may be tempted to enter through torn window screens or doors as you enter and exit the home.
Call Us!
If these solutions simply are not enough to keep mosquitoes at bay, American Pest has mosquito mitigation programs available to keep your family safe from the bothersome insects. Give us a call today to speak to one of our knowledgeable representatives!
