Dealing with Mosquitoes and Other Summer Pests

Summer has come and gone, and if you’re like most people, you had fun weekends spent lounging by the pool, afternoon barbeques, outdoor get-togethers with family and friends, and sitting back with a cold brew in hand. What more could you want?

But, while some daydream about the summer activities behind them, a huge summer nuisance – the infamous mosquito – interrupts some thoughts.

The mere thought of swarming mosquitoes is enough to make a person itch all over – and if there are mosquito-breeding hotspots around your outdoor living space – itching is exactly what you’ll may have done for most of the summer.

Now, we all know the traditional ways to keep mosquitoes away, such as – tiki torches, citronella candles, and of course, various kinds of OFF!® and other brands of mosquito repellants.

I recently read an article highlighting a few other ‘thingies’ you should pay attention to (some were quite interesting), so I just had to share them with you…

According to asummer pest expert, Mike McLean, there are a few things you can do to keep mosquitoes away. So without further adieu, here they are:

Avoid drinking beer

Mr. McLean says: “(If you drink beer)  as part of the digestive process, your skin will give off some ethanol… it’ll kind of ‘pour’ out of your pores.”

What that means – if you enjoy lounging outdoors with a beer, the mosquitoes are sure to target you.

Keep your body heat low

When you exercise, Mike says your body produces lactic acid, which, like ethanol, attracts mosquitoes – so try to keep your outdoor exercise to a minimum.

Don’t be pregnant

Unfortunately, he’s spot on. Pregnant women generally have higher body temperature, and so will naturally give off more carbon dioxide – Mike says about 21% more than average – and that attracts mosquitoes.

Wear bright colors

According to Mike, research suggests, “Mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors, like blue, black, and red.”

Wear long-sleeved shirts/long-legged pants

He also recommends wearing loose clothing and long-sleeved shirts and pants. But, don’t risk becoming overheated – if the weather’s just too hot for that type of clothing, wear what keeps you cool.

Use repellants

If you can’t wear long-sleeved shirts/blouses, or long legged pants, using a bug spray containing DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) can help – just avoid getting it in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

According to the New Jersey State Government, most human cases of West Nile Virus typically appear from August through October, but if there are mosquito breeding areas near you, you’re at risk even in the late spring and early summer months too – and that’s NOW!

Mosquitoes are generally considered a nuisance pest – but don’t forget, they can and do transmit viruses to people and some of our pets – viruses known to cause infections and serious illnesses.

Did you know…

•  General spraying programs are often un-targeted and ineffective, applying pest control products where they shouldn’t be
•  Effective mosquito reduction requires an inspection, a viable strategy, and a proven program
•  Responsible pest control is a delicate balance between…
•  applying the least amount of product
         •  where it most needs to be
         •  and doing it at the right time.

So, if you could do something to protect yourself and your loved ones from all the health risks, you would… wouldn’t you?

Especially if the solution was effective, targeted, and cost effective, too?

There IS another option to reduce summer pests around your property

Considering TermiGuard Services & Fenwick has a pest control division, I thought I should let you know about one of our most popular mosquito control programs…

Introducing the TG Plus Vector Plan

Now you can control mosquitoes (ticks, and fleas, too) with a comprehensive, proven program. Our TG Plus Vector Pest Control Plan covers not only mosquitoes, but those other outdoor nuisance pests – like ticks & fleas – and the health risks associated with them (like West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, Chikungunya, Lyme Disease and Flea Bite Allergy), to name a few.

With yearly inspections, recommendations, earth-friendly products, and several plans to choose from, there’s sure to be a solution just right for you and your outdoor living space!

And, don’t forget about all those other pest ‘solutions’ from summers past:

  • Tiki torches – messy oil spills… not really effective
  • Bonfires – smelly clothes & hair… not really effective
  • Bug zappers – bright lights, annoying noises, and the bugs kept coming… not really effective
  • Fabric softener sheets – belong in the dryer… not really effective
  • Skin SoSoft – Sorry Grandma… not really effective

So, if you’re ready to reduce the mosquito count (ticks & fleas too) in your outdoor living space (and the health risks associated with them)…

Give us a call TODAY for your FREE consultation…