We’ve all been there: Our family awaiting the summer barbeque with kids bounding outside and adults relaxing by the fire pit. Suddenly without warning, an army of mosquitoes rudely intrudes and pelts everyone with nasty welts! Just as much as you enjoy the pleasant climate, mosquitoes also thrive in the summer heat and plan to rapidly multiply. Mosquitoes are known as minor annoyances, but they also carry serious diseases right here in New England.
In recent years, experts have seen mosquito-borne viruses continue to spread across the United States. One of the most concerning illnesses is West Nile Virus, which is passed by the insect’s bite. This virus attacks the nervous system and can cause muscle aches, fever, and permanent brain injury. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2019, 47 states across America saw incidences of this virus.
This is just one example of how widespread these viruses are, but there are several ways to prevent West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. Here is how you can protect your family from mosquito-borne illnesses this season.
1. Use Long-Lasting Insect Control On Your Yard
The first prevention to take against mosquitoes is to use a mosquito control program. This is the most effective and lasting way to prevent mosquitoes from inhabiting your yard. Repellents designed for your yard nip mosquito problems in the bud by deterring the insects before they reproduce. While other precautions on top of a repellent offer extra safety, an all-natural mosquito repellent program is the most efficient at keeping your family safe from mosquito bites.
2. Apply a Mosquito Repellent For Clothes and Skin
Insect repellant sprays are a temporary way to prevent mosquito bites if you are spending time outdoors. It is best that you look for a repellent with EPA-approved ingredients such as lemon eucalyptus oil, picaridin, and DEET. These are all proven to be safe for anyone over the age of three, including pregnant women.
3. Use Citronella Candles and Torches
Another precautionary measure you can take to deter mosquitoes from your lounge areas is to set up citronella candles in places with limited airflow. If you are in a more open area, larger citronella torches can be lit to repel mosquitoes as well. Citronella, the oil of lemongrass, is often used to repel bothersome insects. However, it is only effective for a couple of hours because the oils quickly deteriorate.
4. Remove Standing Water From Your Lawn
Mosquitoes love damp environments because they breed in still freshwater. This is why it is essential to remove any water buckets, fill any puddles, and unclog any rain gutters to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Did you know that a female mosquito can lay 300 eggs at one time? A wet environment can quickly turn into a mosquito infestation! A dry environment ensures that mosquitoes will not want to stay for long.
5. Wear Long Layers of Clothing
One of the easiest prevention methods against mosquitoes is to wear long layers of clothing that cover exposed skin. Those pesky mosquitoes are skilled at finding open areas to bite, so make sure to cover up ankles, and arms, and necks if possible. Wearing jeans and an extra coat layer will block the majority of virus-carrying insects.
6. Stay Up-To-Date on Virus Information
Understanding the dangers of a mosquito bite is just as important as repelling mosquitoes. For example, did you know that the heartworm and West Nile Virus are both spread to pets through mosquitoes? Studying research in your area from trusted government sources enables you to be prepared in case of an outbreak. Frequently check your local government website for updates and statistics on EEE Virus, West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and more.
7. Set Up Mosquito Nets and Window Screens
In addition to damp environments, mosquitoes are also attracted to warm environments. If there is a way into your home (whether it be a cracked window or a door opened for 30 seconds) they will find a way to intrude. Window and door screens are designed to barricade any small insects from inhabiting your home. For large, outdoor areas such as under a gazebo, mosquito nets are a thinner, stretchy fabric that can prevent mosquitoes from trespassing as well.
While each person can take small precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites, above all, MissionGreen Lawn Services highly recommends using a safe mosquito control on your lawn. Our family-friendly, All-Natural Mosquito and Tick Control program quickly repels insects from your backyard. Its environmentally-friendly formula consists of plant-based essential oils such as cedar and peppermint, so you can rest assured that your lawn remains both toxin and mosquito-free.
Want to enjoy those summer barbeques mosquito-free? Call 1-413-998-7829 today for your FREE quote or email us at info@missiongreenservices.com.
Sources Cited
“Mosquito Information: Concord, MA.” Mosquito Information | Concord, MA, 0AD.
“West Nile Virus (WNV).” Mass.gov.
“Eastern Equine Encephalitis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Dec. 2019.
“West Nile Virus.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Nov. 2019.
“2020 Mosquito Awareness Week.” Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District.
