Mosquitoes can really put a damper on outdoor activities. During the summer months most people spend a lot more time outdoors. Unfortunately, that is when mosquitoes are most active as well. They are attracted to humans, the warmth and even the very air we breathe. When we exhale we emit C02, a major attractant for female mosquitoes looking for a blood meal. Aside from the nuisance, mosquitoes can also be vectors for disease like West Nile virus and the Zika virus. This is why consistent, regular outdoor mosquito control is so important to protect your family.

What is Zika Virus?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has provided guidance for understanding Zika virus, preventing it and how to recognize the symptoms. It is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has been infected. Initially, it was thought this was the only way. However, there have been some reports of the virus being transmitted through sexual contact, specifically from an infected man.

Most people who contract Zika are asymptomatic, meaning that they do not have any symptoms. When symptoms do present, they include conjunctivitis, muscle pain, fever, headache, joint pain, and rash. Rarely does an infected person get sick enough to seek medical treatment, but the real risk is to unborn children. A pregnant woman with Zika can endanger her unborn child. The virus has been linked to serious birth defects.

Mosquito Prevention

Mosquitoes breed in standing water so make sure that there is nothing on your property that is holding water. Areas to check include:

Pet dishes
Gutters
Crotch of trees
Bird baths
Children’s toys

They also prefer moist areas with a lot of shade like heavy foliage and dense, shady trees. Outdoor mosquito control services incorporate education of the homeowner on mosquito prevention as part of the treatment protocol.

Outdoor Mosquito Control

When a pest control technician comes to your home to service your property, they will begin by inspecting the yard and exterior of the home for any areas that could be causing or exacerbating your mosquito problem. They will give you advice on how to manage and prevent mosquitoes in your yard. When they service your property, they will apply product to the areas where mosquitoes are the most prevalent like dense vegetation and areas with consistent shade. The best mosquito and pest control companies use a multifaceted approach to mosquito control which includes the use of adulticides to target biting adult mosquitoes combined with a synergist to make the adulticide more effective. The use of an insect growth regulator or “IGR” will also be used alongside a larvacide in order to target the immature mosquito larva thus controlling future populations of biting adult mosquitoes. Mosquito control is most effective when it is done on a regular basis (typically on a monthly basis).

If you are battling mosquitoes in your yard and need outdoor mosquito control give North Fulton Pest Solutions a call. Our professional mosquito services can help make your yard much more comfortable. Enjoy your barbecues, evenings by the pool, and get togethers on the patio without pesky mosquitoes to ruin your fun. Give us a call and we’ll get a technician out to your home to take care of your mosquito problem. Your summer fun just might depend on it.