Secrets from a Mosquito Pest Control Company

Mosquitos can be exceedingly difficult to eradicate from your yard, even for the best mosquito pest control company. They are incredibly determined insects and fly your direction the moment you step outside. You might not spot them, but they are there, waiting for the most opportune moment to bite you.

Even worse, they can carry and transmit disease, which is why it’s usually best to rely on a professional mosquito pest control company to protect your family and pets.

First, a Little Mosquito Biology

The word “mosquito” is Spanish or Portuguese and means “little fly.” Native Americans had another name for them – zancudos – which is also a Spanish word but means long-legged. Their bodies are only 0.12 to 0.35 inches long. Their unique features include scaly skin and two wings, prominent noses, and fine legs. Female bugs will be the ones after your blood, because it powers their egg production.

Water is vital to a mosquito’s survival, which is why they often gather near standing pools; larvae rely on the organisms in the water. Mosquitos also feed on nectar. Consequently, if your yard is near forests, ponds, lakes, or lagoons, your battle against mosquitos – of which there are an estimated 3,500 species – just got a little more difficult, which might be even more reason to rely on a professional mosquito control company.

Outside or In?

More than likely, you’ll encounter mosquitos outside, but that doesn’t mean they won’t find their way inside your home. Structural gaps and open doors and windows are the typical ways mosquitoes enter your home. They’ll settle in dark and damp zones where they probably won’t be disturbed. Don’t be surprised if you see one in a closet, basement, or laundry room. If you wake up with welts on your arms, legs, and elsewhere, you likely have a mosquito infestation and need to call a mosquito pest control company.

A Mosquito Pest Control Company’s Secrets to Preventing Mosquitos

As one of the leading mosquito pest control companies in eastern Virginia, Eco Pest Control knows a thing or two about preventing mosquitos, including the 12 do-it-yourself tips below.

1. Remove water sources: Having accessible water sources around your home will attract mosquitoes. Why? Because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing or slow-moving water. By cutting these water sources, you are reducing the number of mosquitoes laying eggs around your home. Don’t forget to dry out Fido’s water bowl, flush your gutters to remove wet and decaying leaves, and look for standing water in pots and swimming pools.
2. Peppermint and rosemary candles: Mosquitoes have a very keen sense of smell. In fact, it’s the primary reason they are drawn to humans and other animals as a blood source. The carbon dioxide and many of the fragrances we emit are irresistible to these annoying pests. Mosquitoes likewise find a variety of scents unappealing, including essential oils such as peppermint and rosemary.
3. Wear bright colors: Mosquitoes are attracted to darker-colored materials. As for the length of clothing, if you can cover up, you should do so. Wearing long sleeves and pants will significantly reduce the number of mosquito bites you accumulate by the end of the evening.
4. Slather on lemon eucalyptus oil: Lemon eucalyptus oil is recommended by multiple government sources as an insect repellent, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you’re looking for a natural remedy for keeping mosquitoes away, this oil will do the trick.
5. Avoid scented body products: Although some scents work as a repellent for mosquitoes, other body lotions or perfumes can attract these pests. The best thing to do is stay away from fancy smelling perfumes, colognes, body washes, or lotions if you plan on spending time outside during high mosquito activity hours. These hours are typically dusk to dawn between April and October.
6. Limit your alcoholic consumption: Alcohol sweats out your pores and attracts mosquitoes.
7. Change your lighting: Certain lights attract bugs, so opt for yellow lights instead of traditional white bulbs. These bug lights are specially designed to repel bugs. The golden glow also makes for a more pleasant outdoor experience. Turn off your outdoor lights before going to bed, too.
8. Set up netted walls: For a touch of backyard glamour and a foolproof way to keep mosquitoes and flies at bay, set up a gazebo with netted walls. If you don’t have the extra room, you can buy draped mosquito nets to hang from your outdoor umbrella.
9. Spray with cedar oil: A mixture of cedar wood oil diluted with water can be sprayed on your lawn and shrubs to repel mosquitoes. Not only does cedar oil keep mosquitos away, but it can also nix their eggs, too. Use it at night, and by the morning, the yard will be ready for the whole family to enjoy, from pets to parents.
10. Spray hydrogen peroxide: For DIY mosquito repellent, mix up a batch of 1/3 hydrogen peroxide and 2/3 water and spray it over your patio and its perimeter, especially in places where guests will be sitting and eating. Choose 3% hydrogen peroxide to keep plants safe.
11. Avoid peak mosquito hours: Lack of wind, sunlight, and heat make dawn and dusk ideal feeding times for mosquitoes. In eastern Virginia, mosquitoes are least likely to bite in the middle of the day and most likely to bite just after sunset. Limiting outdoor activity – particularly in wooded, humid, and shady areas – during these periods will decrease the chances of being bitten.
12. Use outdoor fans: Surprisingly, outdoor fans have proven effective at reducing mosquitoes and mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat, and body odor. Fans work by dispersing and redirecting these attractants throughout the air, diminishing not only the appearance of mosquitoes in your yard, but also the likelihood of getting bitten.

Tip No. 13: Mosquito-Repelling Plants

As the area’s leading mosquito pest control company, we have learned that the following plants are known to have mosquito-repelling properties. So, consider this tip No. 13, but remember to place or plant these plants in areas where you spend the most time outside.

• Marigolds, which has a distinct aroma that is a natural insect repellent.
• Basil, whose strong scent naturally deters mosquitoes and other insects.
• Catnip, which has been shown to be 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.
• Lavender, in both living and dry form, actively repels mosquitoes.
• Lemon balm, which attracts beneficial insects such as bees, but also repels mosquitoes.
• Peppermint, whose smell helps drive away mosquitoes. It can also be crushed for use as an effective mosquito bite relief treatment.
• Rosemary, which has a long history of use as a mosquito repellent.
• Citronella, whose strong smell can help mask carbon dioxide and body odor, which helps hide you from mosquitoes.
• Pennyroyal, both crushed and fresh, helps repel mosquitoes
• Citronella Geranium, which is a natural mosquito repellent. With lush, green foliage, and the occasional pink-purple flower, the Citronella Geranium plant has a scent that mosquitoes hate.

Why Eco Pest is the Leading Mosquito Pest Control Company in Virginia

There’s a lot of mosquito pest control companies in eastern Virginia, but there is only one Eco Pest Control. We give you four additional reasons why you can trust us to take care of your mosquito problem.

1. Every mosquito exterminator in our pest control company is certified, and every member of our team undergoes extensive training in the identification, treatment, and control of mosquitos.
2. Training of our staff doesn’t stop after their initial certification. Eco Pest Control maintains an ongoing mosquito education program to ensure everyone on our team stays abreast of the latest industry advances.
3. We offer free mosquito inspections.
4. We also offer a mosquito-free guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with your mosquito service, we will come back for free, which is why so many of our customers recommend us when friends and family need a mosquito pest control company.

Resources

• Virginia.gov: Protect Yourself from Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Such as West Nile Virus
• WebMD: Symptoms and Types of Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
• Environmental Protection Agency: Mosquito Control

Eco Pest Control is rated 5/5 from 1,664 reviews & testimonials.

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