Get Ahead of Mosquitoes This Season

Who doesn’t know about mosquitoes in the Carolinas? And is anyone surprised to see them in Charlotte as early as April? Or again in May, June, and all the way through October? Our area has high humidity, which these bugs love. So, you’d better get out your mosquito repellents and start swatting.

DIY Preparation for Mosquitoes

With mosquitoes a reality in the Carolinas and knowing that every summer your yard will have a mosquito issue, we have a few DIY recommendations to reduce their population. Here are some mosquito pest control measures you can take:

Moisture

Good homeowners empty anything that holds even a small amount of standing water since these can be breeding areas for mosquitoes. This includes:

• Rain puddles
• Kiddie pools
• Pet bowls
• Old tires
• Tarps
• Recycling bins
• Water in gutters

Not only do these places harbor mosquitoes, but they’re also filled with other insects and the germs they carry. Try using larvicides to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Aromatic Plants

While they might not repel all mosquitoes, there are several strongly scented house and yard plants most mosquitoes won’t go near. Fortunately, you can easily find mosquito-repelling plants, such as lemongrass, lavender, sage, rosemary, fennel, basil, eucalyptus, and citronella, in supermarkets, health food stores, and garden centers. However, note that these plants and essential oils might need backup from something more powerful.

Brush, Leaves, and Grass Clippings

When yard debris, including leaves, twigs, and sticks, sit in your yard too long, it can provide the ideal hiding place for mosquitoes. The bugs seek refuge on your property wherever they find accumulated debris, and these spots also protect them from the hot summer sun. So clean your yard regularly, and be sure to dispose of your waste. Remember, debris collection piles also make excellent mosquito breeding grounds.

Picnics and Outdoor Gatherings

What mosquito doesn’t love a party? Probably those that get smooshed before they can lay their eggs. After all, nothing ruins an outdoor event more than slapping, itching, and scratching.

But there are products that can keep most, if not all, mosquitoes away from your gathering. These include:

• Mosquito zappers (for mosquitos specifically)
• Non-toxic electronic pesticide dispensers
• DEET or picaridin (permethrin should be used for clothing only)
• Mosquito-proof clothing

Before purchasing any mosquito control product, check reviews to find what’s best.

If you want to avoid mosquitoes, it’s best not to wear darker or more saturated shades of colors, such as navy, black, red, and orange, since they help mosquitoes find and target you. Other personal attributes that draw mosquitoes include:

• Carbon dioxide concentration in the breath
• Sweat compounds like lactic acid, uric acid, and ammonia
• Blood type (mosquitoes prefer type O)

While you can’t change your metabolism, you can make a point of using the most effective mosquito yard treatment products.

What Happens When a Mosquito Bites You?

When a mosquito bites you, it pierces your skin using a special mouthpart (proboscis) to remove blood. While feeding, it injects saliva to numb your skin. Then your body reacts to the saliva, resulting in an itchy bump. Bites can also manifest as blisters or bruises. Those with more severe reactions might exhibit the following signs:

• A large area of swelling and redness
• Low-grade fever
• Hives
• Swollen lymph nodes

While relatively rare or mild in the U.S., mosquitoes can carry dangerous diseases like:

• Zika
• Dengue
• West Nile
• Malaria
• Yellow fever
• Chikungunya
• La Crosse encephalitis
• Rift Valley fever
• Jamestown Canyon virus
• Snowshoe hare virus

Be aware that if you leave the country, you might be more vulnerable to exposure to these mosquito-borne diseases.

When to Call the Pros

At Noosa, we believe the most effective strategies involve a multi-pronged approach, including:

• Preventative measures on the part of homeowners: Professional mosquito treatments are essential to keeping mosquito populations down, but property owners’ efforts are also important. Making your yard a less hospitable environment for mosquitoes is key.
• Product application: Indiscriminate spraying only goes so far in reducing the mosquito population. For the greatest effectiveness, products must be applied carefully and in all locations where mosquitoes are likely to hide and breed.
• Application frequency: Some pest control companies provide mosquito treatments once a month at most. But we know the key to effectiveness is to repeat mosquito treatments every 21 days throughout the height of mosquito season.

Sometimes, a client’s problem becomes too much for DIY solutions and requires professional assistance. For example, mosquitoes can breed at an alarming rate, with female mosquitoes laying over 100 eggs at a time. Therefore, repeating mosquito treatment throughout the warmer months is crucial. The frequency with which you repeat mosquito treatment is probably the most significant aspect of the service and must occur every 21 days.

Noosa offers two options for mosquito control services:

• Mosquito reduction: One key to reducing mosquito populations in our clients’ yards is applying mosquito control products every three weeks. This frequency is essential for the success of our mosquito control. The 21-day period is based on the mosquito reproductive cycle.
• Mosquito misting: Misting systems effectively ensure your yard remains free from mosquitos while protecting against other insects that might want to enter.

Noosa employs a strict and well-planned schedule with our mosquito yard treatments. Controlling the mosquito population and keeping these bugs at bay is our number one goal to protect your yard, home, and family. So if DIY solutions don’t alleviate your mosquito issue, consider Noosa’s mosquito pest control to service your yard.

Call Noosa today!

Are you looking for pest control in Charlotte, North Carolina? If so, we proudly offer our best service through our proprietary mosquito yard treatments. We’ll check your yard for mosquito hiding places and spray where needed. And, as always, we’ll also provide low-impact solutions to reduce the environmental impact.

We proudly serve neighboring communities such as:

• Cornelius
• Mooresville
• Clover
• Matthews
• Tega Cay

Call us today at 704-499-9922 for help solving your mosquito problem. We’ll be there ASAP!