You’re not the only one looking forward to fun summer activities – so are pesky mosquitoes and ticks. So, as we welcome the warmer weather in some parts of the country, it’s best to prepare to share the great outdoors (and indoors) with a few insect friends.
Whether you’re traveling to Brazil or the Caribbean, planning on spending time at the coast or just enjoying a sunset picnic at the park, here are some of the best ways to protect yourself and your home from mosquitoes and prevent ticks:
How To Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes
Dump out any standing water near your home
Mosquitoes can breed in just 14 days in even just a small amount of water. An old flower pot, rain gutter, or a cute birdbath can become a mosquito breeding ground.
If you have a pond, add some mosquito-eating fish like guppies, minnows, or mosquito fish. Keep the water moving by adding a waterfall or fountain, or treat it with a natural bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis. The bacteria kills mosquito larvae but is harmless to people, plants, and pets.
Uncovered rain barrels, vases, puddles, water tanks, birdbaths, and air conditioning drop pans are all inviting homes for mosquitoes – so be sure to get rid of them.
Keep mosquitoes outside
Use screens on the windows or air conditioning to keep mosquitoes from slipping in a window. Or, if you don’t have screens, consider getting a fine mosquito net to hang over your bed or child’s crib. Some mosquito nets are treated with a time-release insecticide, making them ideal for a camping trip.
Use mosquito repellent
The most effective chemical repellents contain DEET, picaridin, PMD, or IR3535 insecticide, which are all considered safe when used as directed, says Natasha Bhuyan, an MD in Phoenix.
The CDC says they’re safe for pregnant and nursing women, as well as babies over two months, though you want lower concentrations of DEET for children. Concentrate the repellent on your ankles, feet, lower legs, and wrists — thin-skinned spots mosquitoes love to bite.
The Environmental Working Group lists picaridin and IR3535 as its top choices for repelling mosquitoes. Just avoid spraying chemicals around the eyes or mouth and watch out for skin irritation.
Wear light-colored clothing, especially outdoors
When outside on your patio or porch, dark colors — like black, deep blue, and red — stand out, so they attract bugs. Thicker fabrics and looser fits offer more protection than thin clothing that fits tightly.
Stay indoors during dusk and dawn
If you can’t avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn, be sure to take some other precautions. While mosquitoes can bite at any time of day, it’s wise to limit your exposure during their prime feeding times.
How To Protect Yourself (And Home) Against Ticks
Clean up your yard and keep your grass short
Generally, ticks don’t like neat and well-manicured lawns and prefer to hide in woody, dense areas with long grass. So, cleaning up your yard could help prevent ticks and creating prime locations for your pets and kids to pick them up.
Spray for ticks on the perimeter of your property
You can spray areas in your yard with a pesticide that contains bifenthrin (an excellent chemical for tick control) yourself, but a licensed pest control pro will know exactly when and how to spray. Plus, they will also know how to handle these kinds of pesticides and do this as safely as possible.
Regularly inspect your pets for ticks
As much as we love our four-legged friends, they are often responsible for bringing ticks and fleas into our homes. In the height of tick season, be sure to check your fur babies regularly in order to prevent ticks from jumping off your animals and onto you! You can also use ant-tick shampoo and powder that won’t harm your pets.
Wear protective clothing and use tick repellant
Just like you would protect yourself from mozzies, protect yourself from ticks by wearing suitable clothing and using specialized repellants. Wear leggings or pants tucked into boots with socks pulled over them, tuck in a light-colored long-sleeve shirt (which makes it easier to spot ticks on you), and put on a hat to protect your hair.
Check yourself if you’ve been outdoors
If you’ve been hiking or walking in tick-prone areas, always check yourself and your kids as soon as you come inside. Be sure to check under your arms, around your ears, in your groin area, and in your hair. If you find a tick, jump in a hot shower and wash and dry your clothes on high heat.
How We Can Help
Nobody is more knowledgeable about getting rid of ticks and mosquitoes than Pest Control Unlimited LLC. Providing exceptional services is what Pest Control Unlimited is all about. All that we do is customized your home.
Looking to prevent ticks or mosquitoes? No problem, we listen to your concerns, study the situation carefully, and create a customized pest control approach. Our technicians regularly attend classes and seminars, learning the latest safe pest control methods and practices.
We’re passionate about serving you. And will do so with all the necessary COVID precautions in place. Whenever you need help, we’re only a phone call away at 888-649-9919. Contact us today and begin your residential pest services.
