Ticks and mosquitoes are some of the most common and dangerous pests that Northeast PA homeowners have to deal with during the warmer months.
According to a recent uptick in diagnosed cases, Lyme Disease from ticks is considered endemic in Pennsylvania. While much rarer, cases of West Nile Virus and other deadly diseases from mosquitoes have been documented in Pennsylvania.
What’s more is that, unlike other pests that can be handled with simple prevention tips, ticks and mosquitoes are much harder to eliminate. Unless you plan to remove a standing pond near your house or the trees lining your property, you will always have to be on the lookout for ticks and mosquitoes.
That was until now. Thanks to our tick and mosquito control plans, we can repel and eliminate ticks and mosquitoes from your property using a safe but powerful yard spray.
We’ll take a look at how tick and mosquito yard sprays work, as well as additional prevention tips to keep your yard safe from pests and disease during the warm months.
Dangers of Ticks and Mosquitoes
Ticks and mosquitoes are more than a tiny nuisance; they can be dangerous and possibly deadly.
Ticks are not only tiny parasites, but they come in a variety of species. Depending on where you live, you can run into different types of ticks, from deer ticks to dog ticks.
There are about 90 species in the U.S., and though they can’t fly, they find ways to attach themselves to a human and animal host. What makes ticks so dangerous are the diseases they potentially carry, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and even ehrlichiosis in pets.
Mosquitoes, on the other hand, are flying pests found just about everywhere in warm weather. Like ticks, they feed off the blood of their host, and there are over 174 species found in North America.
They are also the deadliest insects. Mosquitoes can carry lethal diseases like West Nile, Zika, Malaria, and many more. The females need a blood meal to lay fertile eggs, and those bites transfer diseases to their host.
Where Can You Find Ticks and Mosquitoes in Your Yard?
Ticks are small and can be challenging to spot. They are often found in overgrown areas, typically with high grass or bushes.
Primarily, they can tend to be found in wooded areas and fields, and they can easily latch on to animals and people who pass. Once they grab their target, they find a warm spot to feed until they are engorged.
Mosquitoes are found mostly in warm areas, typically near stagnant water. These flying pests still need pools to lay their eggs; anything on your property that can gather water, from bird baths to a wheelbarrow left in the rain, will be an attractive nesting area. They don’t need much to produce a personal swarm for your backyard.
Are Store-Bought Repellents Enough?
Unfortunately, many mosquito and tick repellents, such as DEET sprays and picaridin, only offer temporary protection against pests and carry dangerous chemicals.
Consider the story of Seresto collars, a popular tick and flea repellent for dogs. After medical experts discovered the harmful effects these collars had on dogs, they were eventually recalled from the market.
You may be tempted to search for an organic solution, such as citronella. Again, the issue with these products is that they don’t stop ticks and mosquitoes from invading your property; they just prevent them from biting you. But when you forget to light a citronella candle, or it fails to stop a tick or mosquito bite, you are putting yourself in danger of serious disease.
How Do Mosquitoes and Tick Sprays Work?
The only silver bullet for effective mosquito and tick control is to apply a powerful insecticide barrier to the perimeter of your home. Using chemicals engineered to disrupt the nervous system of these critters, they will clear your home of low-lying ticks and flying mosquitoes in as little as 24 hours and prevent them from returning for weeks on end.
Why Should Hire a Professional to Apply Yard Sprays
While many yard sprays are available at your local utility store, we highly caution against using these sprays yourself. There are many risks to improper application you should be aware of:
- Sprays may harm bees and beneficial insects. Bees are responsible for pollinating flowers, fruits, and many other essential plants. Unfortunately, many sprays and repellents end up killing them as well.
- Sprays can be harmful to humans and pets. Many yard sprays contain irritants that may upset the skin and lead to respiratory problems if proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is not worn.
- Certain sprays and barriers can harm natural foliage. While your intentions may be to kill those dangerous pests, you may end up killing plants and trees in the process.
- In addition to being dangerous, DIY yard sprays can end up being a waste of money. When done improperly, sprays and barrier protection can end up costing money without ever achieving the desired effect. If done incorrectly, barriers will not do their job, and you’ll find yourself battling mosquito bites and hitch-hiking ticks.
A professional exterminator can avoid these concerns by applying the right amount of spray depending on the size of your infestation and property. Technicians will also know where to apply sprays to avoid natural foliage and also beneficial wildlife.
As a bonus, mosquito and tick yard sprays may take care of other insects, like gnats and fleas, giving you greater relief in the summer.
Most sprays need to be re-applied anywhere between 3 to 12 weeks, specified by the brand your exterminator decides on. By most accounts, yard sprays can result in anywhere from an 80-100% reduction in ticks and mosquitos in a few days.
Additional Mosquito and Tick Prevention Tips
One of the best ways to combat ticks and mosquitoes is a healthy helping of prevention. Taking steps to protect your home before the arrival of ticks and mosquitoes in the spring could save you from pest problems down the road. Here are a few simple things you can do to keep your yard tidy.
- Don’t let your yard get overgrown. Perform regular yard maintenance, including trimming bushes, raking up leaves, and disposing of dead plants.
- Cut the grass regularly. Ticks love long blades of grass and overgrown areas, as do other pests like cockroaches and ants.
- Tend the garden, and don’t overwater your plants. The smallest pool is a good breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Take care of stagnant water. Check overturned lawn equipment, toys, chairs, and clogged gutters. Mosquitoes don’t need much water to lay their eggs.
- Wear long clothing. While not always practical during the summer, we advise wearing long sleeves and pants that cover the skin if you are near any mosquitoes or traveling through any thick brush where ticks hide out.
Taking these extra precautions can also increase the effectiveness of professional yard sprays.
You don’t have to be afraid of your own backyard this season. Take steps to keep your property safe from ticks and mosquitoes by contacting your local pest control expert and asking about yard sprays. These sprays are the most effective deterrent against mosquitoes and ticks, but should only be applied by a professional.
FAQs
When Do Mosquitoes Arrive?
Mosquitoes tend to arrive much earlier than you think. While April and March are prime months for mosquitoes, they only need a temperature of 50 degrees to thrive. In fact, they never really go away. Mosquito eggs can remain suspended in water until the temps rise again. Regardless of the time of year, mosquito eggs will hatch when it is warm enough.
What Attracts Mosquitoes?
Female mosquitoes are on the lookout for two things: protein and a place to lay their eggs. The females need protein to create their eggs, and unfortunately, that’s bad news for any warm-blooded animal. She’ll bite just about anything for the blood to fuel her egg production, and there are plenty of viable targets. When she has blood, a female mosquito can lay a batch of 100 eggs at a time.
Is There Something I Can Use To Keep Adult Mosquitoes Away?
If you want to trap and kill adult mosquitoes, CO2 Mosquito traps are the way to go. They attract female mosquitoes with warmth, CO2, and moisture. The biting insects are sucked in, trapped, and then they dehydrate. The ideal time to set up these traps is in late March or early April. Doing so should catch these pests at their peak.