What’s the Secret to DIY Mosquito Control in Tennessee?

a burning citronella candle with many dead mosquitoes

Tired of itchy bites and mosquito-riddled evenings? If you live in Knoxville TN, you’re no stranger to bloodsucking mosquitoes, and you may be wondering if there are any DIY methods to stop them. The truth is that while DIY mosquito control methods can provide some temporary relief, the rapid life cycle of the mosquito means that it will likely be an ongoing effort. Even if you are successful in eradicating swathes of the adult mosquito populations, many more are constantly emerging. 

The key to mosquito prevention is to be strategic and make the most of the work you do. That’s why, in this blog, we’ve decided to use our years of expertise to offer up some tips on how to get the best results from your DIY mosquito control. From practical steps to prevention strategies, our goal is to help you enjoy a mosquito-free spring and summer.

When Is the Best Time for Mosquito Control in Tennessee?

In warm climates like ours, mosquitoes can be a problem for much of the year. That said, these pests are definitely at their worst in the heat of summer. That’s why the best time for preventative mosquito control is in the springtime – before they get bad.

Ideally, you should keep standing water off your property if at all possible. Removing standing water is one of the most important parts of home mosquito control. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, where they develop as larvae and pupae in water. The mosquitoes don’t emerge from water until they’re adults ready to fly and breed. Standing water can mean a puddle, a pool, a bird bath – any object that fills with even a small amount of water is a potential mosquito breeding ground.

You might also consider scheduling a preventative mosquito control service with a professional pest control company during this time. Calling in April to make an appointment for preventative mosquito control can make your property much more enjoyable in the summer.

Which DIY Mosquito Control Strategies Actually Work?

If a mosquito infestation is bad enough, there’s a chance that none of these will work. However, for mild to moderate mosquito infestations, you may have varying levels of success with any of these methods:

  • Heavy duty fans: You may be surprised to learn that mosquitoes are not good at flying, but it’s true. They naturally avoid areas with high winds. Many homeowners replicate this in their backyard with powerful outdoor fans.
  • Mosquito repellent topical sprays: Although they won’t solve your mosquito problem, they can greatly improve your time outside by helping you avoid bites. Just be sure to get one with DEET or picaridin as the active ingredient. These are the most effective.
  • Store bought mosquito insecticides: Be extremely careful when using any kind of insecticide and only use it exactly as directed on the product packaging for safety and effectiveness. Insecticides can be very dangerous to humans and pets if exposed to in large quantities. If you’ve reached the point where you’re considering store bought insecticides, it may be a better use of your valuable time and money to call a professional mosquito exterminator like Watson Pest Management.
  • Fish: If you have a pond, fountain, or other body of water on your property, it’s not like removing the water is an option. At the same time, mosquitoes will lay their eggs in it. Many homeowners have gotten creative with the solution – acquiring koi fish to reside in their water feature. Why? It’s simple: koi fish are a natural predator of mosquito larvae and devour them in huge quantities.

DIY mosquito control works best when you have as much knowledge of mosquito habitats and behaviors as possible. For more on that, check out our Mosquito Learning Center.

Should You Worry About Mosquito Borne Disease in Tennessee?

Around the world, mosquito-borne disease is a major problem. It’s one of the leading causes of death of people in tropical regions and makes life difficult for millions more chronic sufferers.

Here in the Knoxville area, we are fortunate enough that mosquito-borne disease is very rare. Still, people in Tennessee should be aware of the mosquito situation around them, as it’s still possible to suffer health consequences from a bite. West Nile is one mosquito-borne disease that’s been found in Tennessee. Additionally, data suggests that it may be possible to find Zika mosquitoes in areas around Nashville. 

Why Do It Yourself When You Can Leave It to the Mosquito Pros?

If you’re looking for your next DIY project and mosquito control is something you’re considering, take it from us: save your energy for something more rewarding. Sure, it’s possible you may save a few bucks with DIY mosquito control, but you may also end up spending over a longer period of time. And, compared to professional mosquito control, you’re likely to get inferior results. 

Russell’s Pest Control does this professionally, and we have the best tools and expertise at our disposal. We’ve worked with amazing homeowners across the Knoxville area and would be proud to work with you next.

It’s Time To Think About Mosquito Control In Knoxville

Mosquito biting Knoxville resident during spring - Russell's Pest Control

One of the upsides to the colder winter months here in Knoxville is the disappearance of mosquitoes. Unfortunately, they’ll be back to bug us again soon, and we’ll be in for several months of prime mosquito season. You can stop mosquito problems in your yard before they start by hiring our experts at Russell’s Pest Control – we know these pests and their tendencies inside and out.

The Dangers of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can be quite a nuisance when you are trying to enjoy outdoor gatherings with family and friends. Beyond all the buzzing and biting, some species of mosquitoes are capable of transmitting dangerous diseases to their human hosts. Some notable examples are:

  • Malaria
  • Zika virus
  • West Nile virus
  • Dengue
  • Chikungunya virus, and more

Fortunately for us, the majority of mosquito-borne diseases are spread in areas with tropical or subtropical climates. This doesn’t exempt us from the potential of contracting an illness, however, so if you are experiencing severe headaches, nausea, muscle spasms, or stiffness that you think might be related to a recent mosquito bite, seek medical attention immediately.

Preventing a Mosquito Infestation

You can find some fairly simple mosquito prevention tips online, but most of them don’t tackle the issue at its root. We advise that you take these tips into account when preparing yourself for mosquito season:

  1. Most importantly, aim to eliminate or at least reduce the amount of standing water in your yard by turning over tools, toys, buckets, glasses, and other items that collect rainwater. Any amount of standing water serves as a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
  2. Apply insect repellent before going outdoors. This is the best way to protect your exposed skin, but wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants with lighter colors will also prevent mosquito bites.
  3. Learn about mosquitoes’ habits. They tend to gather around water sources big and small, and they’re most active at dusk and dawn.
  4. Some people suggest using citronella candles to repel mosquitoes, but they are fairly ineffective, and their fumes are potentially harmful when inhaled.

The #1 mosquito prevention tip, of course, is to contact a professional pest control service that has experience with effective mosquito reduction and control.

Planning Ahead for Mosquito Season

The time to start thinking about mosquito control on your property is now, and Russell’s Pest Control is ready to help in the Eastern Tennessee area. On your initial treatment, our trained technicians will come out and inspect your yard for mosquito hot spots, including an examination of plant life around your home and any other potential breeding sites. We will then assign a specialist to return every month from April to September to maintain the area. Then you can finally relax in a yard that mosquitoes will steer clear of. Contact our team today!

How to Tell if Professional Mosquito Control is Right for You

How to Tell if Professional Mosquito Control is Right for You

If you can’t enjoy your backyard for more than a few minutes without getting bitten by mosquitoes, that might be a sign that it’s time to secure professional mosquito treatment. Mosquitoes are at their peak in activity as we enter the long, hot, final days of summer. For Tennessee homeowners, mosquitoes can become a big problem, as they can transmit disease and ruin summer fun. The good news is that professional mosquito treatment can be highly effective and let you get back to enjoying your summertime activities.

 

Peak Mosquito Season

Late summer is full-on mosquito season. There has been plenty of time for mosquitoes to lay eggs and for those to hatch and become adult mosquitoes, who are also laying their eggs. If they’ve found a nice bit of water in your yard, they may be relentless with their attack on your property and family. Late morning and early evening can be unbearable, as mosquitoes are typically active and biting during this time.

 

Problems Mosquitoes Bring to Tennessee

Mosquitos are vectors for various diseases from Zika Virus to West Nile Virus. There is no way to tell from looking at a mosquito or its bite whether a mosquito is infected or not. This makes all mosquitoes a problem. Even if mosquitoes weren’t disease carriers, their bites are irritating and unwanted. Some people only have a mild reaction, resulting in a small itchy bump on their skin that lasts a few hours. Others can develop large welts that last for days, causing itching that is so bad that scratching the bites can cause infection and scars.

 

Signs That it’s Time for Professional Treatment 

If you find yourself going back inside a few minutes after going outside because mosquitoes are attacking, it may be time to call a professional. If your children return from playing outdoors with bites all over, it’s time. If you can see mosquitoes swarming around your hedges, pool, or the perimeter of your property, call for treatment.

 

How Professional Mosquito Treatment Works    

At Russell’s Pest Control, we take a three-step approach to reducing mosquitoes on your Tennessee property. Initially, our technician will inspect your property and identify the locations where mosquitoes are likely to breed and hide. Next, treatments are applied to the targeted areas, including hiding spots and breeding sites. Finally, follow up treatments will continue monthly through mosquito season to ensure continuing protection. Contact us to schedule your consultation, or to begin treatment, so you can enjoy the remaining summer days mosquito free!  

Mosquitoes Are Coming To Knoxville… Are You Ready?

Mosquitoes Are Coming To Knoxville... Are You Ready?

There’s nothing quite like a warm sunny day in Knoxville, Tennessee. With temperatures ranging from 64 to 90 degrees, many Knoxville residents embrace the wonderful summer weather. While some families take vacations away from home in summer, many stay here in Knoxville. Whether you decide to splash in one of our rivers or take a slow drive through town, summer in Knoxville is an experience to remember! As with any warm-weather fun, however, there is the problem of being exposed to the dangers of mosquitoes. These irritating pests are one of the downsides of summer, and if you’re not careful, your summer fun could turn into summer disaster.

Why Mosquitoes Are Dangerous

We all know mosquitoes are an unpleasant part of Knoxville summers. After all, who wants to swat away these blood-sucking nuisances with every other stride through the park? Finding itchy red bite marks across your arms and legs isn’t a fun experience either, though the problems mosquitoes create extend far beyond being an annoyance. While you might believe the worst part about mosquitoes is the fact that they can disturb guests and ruin outdoor activities, mosquitoes can actually be dangerous under the right circumstances. For instance, if a mosquito bites someone who is ill with West Nile virus, yellow fever, or malaria, that mosquito can carry that illness to the next person it bites. As more people become infected, diseases can spread quickly. The spread of these diseases is much less common in America than in other countries, however, there are still cases of these illnesses springing up in communities across the United States.

Professional Mosquito Control Is Essential

If your immediate instinct for mosquito control is to search online for DIY methods of removal, you could be wasting time, effort, and money. Most DIY methods of mosquito control don’t do very much to keep mosquitoes away from your Knoxville property, and DIY mosquito control certainly doesn’t eliminate your problem from the source. However, professional mosquito control services from Russell’s Pest Control can dramatically reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property. Our service technicians work with homeowners to find an effective solution for mosquito problems. Whether you need a one-time treatment or mosquito protection throughout the entire mosquito season, we can help. We will locate areas of high mosquito activity around your Knoxville home and target treatments in those areas, which effectively reduces mosquito activity on your property. Reach out to Russell’s Pest Control today to learn which mosquito services would be best for you!

Why Call Russell’s Pest Control For Mosquitoes Around Knoxville

Why Call Russell's Pest Control For Mosquitoes Around Knoxville

Once mosquito season hits Knoxville this summer, there will be no escaping. Therefore it is a good idea to start thinking about mosquito control right now.

Mosquitoes can contract and spread diseases like West Nile virus, malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever, tularemia, encephalitis, and Zika virus, all of which can become serious if not treated promptly, and some can be lethal.

One thing is for sure, to be safe, humans should not come into contact with mosquitoes. But they are nearly impossible to get rid of completely. Mosquitoes will soon be everywhere, flying around us, biting us, and breeding like crazy.

Hot summers, high humidity, and standing water all contribute to the high mosquito population in Tennessee. We don’t have any control over the weather but there are a few things we can do to limit places mosquitoes breed. The first thing you can do is inspect your property to eliminate sources of standing water by…

  • Emptying water from toys, tools, bird baths and wheelbarrows.
  • Emptying kiddie pools and flipping them over daily.
  • Drilling holes in the bottom of tire swings or other items that collect rainwater.
  • Aerating your soil so that it will effectively absorb water.
  • Keeping your lawn raked.
  • Keeping rain gutters clear of clogs.
  • Directing rainwater so that it will drain properly.

When you are outdoors, you should use effective mosquito repellent as well as wear long sleeve shirts and pants to cover your skin and avoid mosquito bites. But there is a way you can relax and enjoy your back yard. All you have to do is enlist the help of Russell’s Pest Control.

Many DIY methods to eliminate mosquitoes will actually draw more mosquitoes to your yard. Other methods just use up time and hard-earned money and don’t offer any guarantee.

The best solution is to contact Russell’s Pest Control in Knoxville for seasonal mosquito treatments. Our licensed professionals can treat your yard monthly during mosquito season where they land and breed. The result will be a drastic reduction in the mosquito population in your yard so that you can get outdoors and enjoy the summer. If you’re ready to combat mosquitoes, we can help, just give us a call at Russell’s Pest Control.

Why Professional Treatment Is Worth It For Mosquitoes In Tennessee

Why Professional Treatment Is Worth It For Mosquitoes In Tennessee

You make yourself a sweet tea, grab your current paperback, and head to your backyard patio to enjoy an hour in the warm sun. But before you get settled, you feel a tickle on your leg and have to swat a mosquito away. You read a sentence and feel another tickle on your arm. Swat. You take a sip of tea and hear a buzzing in your ear. Swat. Before you know it, you’ve been chased back into your house by a swarm of hungry mosquitoes. If this scenario sounds all too familiar, you’ll want to know why professional treatment is worth it for mosquitoes in Tennessee.

When Mosquitoes Become Active

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded creatures, so they can’t handle cold temperatures. Some die off and some hibernate through the colder winter months, but either way, when spring arrives and the weather heats up, they become active again.

Spring is also the time of year when mosquito eggs that were laid in the fall can begin to hatch. All they need is a warm temperature and a covering of water, which is easily provided by a spring rainfall.

Why You Don’t Want Mosquitoes Bugging You

Everyone can agree that mosquitoes are annoying. They buzz in your ears and drive you crazy with their bites that leave behind itchy welts. But there’s more to worry about than a few bug bites.

Mosquitoes are dangerous. In fact, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world. Thankfully, they’re not the deadliest animal in the United States, but they still cause deaths and plenty of illnesses each year in the US. Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of diseases such as West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Dengue Fever, and Malaria. Although most mosquito bites turn out to be a simple annoyance, you never know if it is an infected mosquito that is leaving the bite.

Why Professional Treatment is Worth It for Mosquitoes in Tennessee

There’s really no way to completely eliminate mosquitoes from your Tennessee yard. You can try all the DIY methods you can think of; reducing standing water, using citronella, planting mosquito-repelling plants, setting up a screened-in porch, etc., and while their numbers may be slightly reduced, you’ll still have plenty of mosquitoes to deal with.

With mosquito control from Russell’s Pest Control, we take care of the areas you can’t. Our pest control technicians are trained to understand the habits of mosquitoes. We know where they breed and we know where they hide. When you hire us, we do a detailed inspection of your property to find these areas. We then treat them so that mosquitoes can no longer use them.

We offer one-time treatments, which work great if you’re hosting an outdoor event, but we recommend our seasonal treatment which will keep your yard nearly mosquito-free all spring and summer.

Professional mosquito treatment will keep your Tennessee yard a safe and enjoyable place. Give Russell’s a call to take the first step to a pleasant, mosquito-free season.

Risk Factors That Summer Mosquito Infestations Bring With Them

Risk Factors That Summer Mosquito Infestations Bring With Them

Now that July is in full swing in Eastern Tennessee, mosquitoes are everywhere! Don’t let the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses ruin your summer; instead, take control of the mosquito problem around your property and reduce the risk of dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses being spread to you, your family, and your pets with the help of a pest control professionals at Russell’s Pest Control!

Many people don’t realize just how dangerous mosquitoes are. Mosquitoes can be found all around the world and are known to spread a wide range of diseases including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and canine heartworm. The spread of mosquito-borne illness is due mainly to more frequent travel; if someone contracts a disease from a mosquito in another country, when they return to the United States, other mosquitoes can then feed on them the person who contracted the illness, become infected with that disease, and then spread it to more people.

Mosquito-borne diseases are spread through mosquito bites as they feed on you. An interesting fact about these biting, disease-spreading pests is that only the females bite, as they need the blood in order to reproduce. When female mosquitoes bite, they pierce your skin and their saliva enters the bite to stop the blood from clotting, allowing them to feed easily on your blood. These bites leave behind itchy bumps that can range from mild discomfort to painful and can be quite bothersome.

The good news is, even though it may seem impossible, you can reduce mosquito populations in your backyard and on your property by following some quick tips and prevention strategies. One of the most effective ways to eliminate mosquitoes around your properties is decreasing the amount of standing water around your home; mosquitoes need standing water in order to reproduce, so by eliminating the standing water that collects in clogged gutters, bird feeders, overturned toys or tools, and puddles, you are one step closer to a lower mosquito population! To avoid mosquito bites, you can also use insect repellent and wear light colored long sleeve shirts and pants when spending time outdoors.

Even though it is the height of mosquito season right now and it may look like there is no hope in sight, it’s not too late! Call on the experienced professionals at Russell’s Pest Control; we can help you control the mosquito populations on your property and limit your exposure to dangerous mosquito-borne diseases so you can get back outside and enjoy the summer weather without the worry of mosquitoes! Give us a call today to learn more about our mosquito control options.

When A One-Time Mosquito Service Is Perfect

When A One-Time Mosquito Service Is Perfect

Mosquito season in Knoxville, TN is nearing its end. Although, we know Mother Nature usually has another burst of warm weather in store for us this time of year. Just because summer has left, it doesn’t mean mosquitoes are gone for good too. If you are squeezing out the last little bit of summer with an outdoor BBQ or special gathering, one-time mosquito control is perfect.

What Is One-time Mosquito Service?

A one-time mosquito application is a single service where professionals go out and spray for mosquitoes. This is not the same as regular residential mosquito control. With regular mosquito control for your home, a service professional comes out every few months to treat your home for mosquitoes. This is an important preventative measure before and during mosquito season.

When mosquito season comes to a close, it may be a little too late in the season to consider a mosquito control program for your Knoxville home, but spot treatment just may be the thing you need. One-time mosquito service controls the mosquito population for special events. It is a one-time deal that doesn’t require regular service – at least not yet.

When To Use One-time Mosquito Service

These are just a few events for which our customers need one-time mosquito control:

  •  BBQ’s

  • Outdoor birthday parties and events

  • Outdoor weddings

  • Family reunions

  • Pool parties

  • Bonfires

Dangers Of Mosquitoes

No one wants mosquitoes at these events because they are more than a nuisance. They are dangerous. Mosquitoes pose a threat to you and your guests. Mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases such as Zika virus, West Nile virus, and encephalitis.

Mosquitoes are attracted to your outdoor event because of all the bodies and the nearby water sources around your home. Female mosquitoes are attracted to their food source – your blood. When you have company, mosquitoes get to feast. If you don’t keep the mosquitoes away from your outdoor event, they will quickly chase your guests away.

September is the perfect month for outdoor events and family time. Don’t let lingering mosquitoes ruin the party. For a mosquito -free event at the end of the summer, call Russell’s Pest Control for one-time mosquito service in your Knoxville, TN home that will get you by until next year when you can begin full mosquito control earlier in the season.

Plenty Of Summer Left To Enjoy

Plenty Of Summer Left To Enjoy

Even though folks are thinking back to school and some stores are already decked out in autumn colors it is not quite time to start dreaming of pumpkin lattes and roaring fires quite yet. August has arrived, and with it some of the hottest days of summer are still ahead of many of us. That means more time celebrating the summer season with backyard barbecues, family reunions, and plenty of pool time can be had.

There isn’t much that will ruin a good time in the backyard faster than hungry mosquitoes swarming around you, your family, and your guests. These little biters have ruined more than their fair share of campfire stories and an evening dip to cool off after a long day. Between the biting, swatting and the itchy welts that mosquitoes leave behind that can last for days, it is little wonder that so many of us do not get out and enjoy the beautiful summer weather while we have it.

Of course, there is so much more to worry about with a mosquito bite than many of us realized once upon a time. When many of us were kids, they were just annoying. The diseases carried by mosquitoes that we vaguely heard about on the news was always somewhere else with an entire ocean between us and them. Now, we are well aware that mosquitoes close to home carry a number of diseases that they can easily transmit to humans, and they might be living right outside our door. Conditions like encephalitis, West Nile virus, and the now spreading Zika virus can have serious implications for your health or the health of your family.

Protecting your family from the quick breeding mosquito is essential. From spring through summer, you can cut down their breeding areas by making sure that any standing water is eliminated from around the home. Make sure that rain water doesn’t stagnate in empty plant pots or trays that might be hanging around. Make sure that gutters are clear of leaves and debris so water can run freely. Bird baths and kid’s wading pools should have their water changed regularly. Trimming back bushes and keeping the lawn cut short can also help reduce the areas where mosquitoes hide during the day.

Don’t get chased inside all summer long by mosquitoes. With plenty of weeks left to enjoy some fun in the sun give us a call at Russell’s Pest Control. With proper treatment of the spots where mosquitoes breed and hide from the midday sun, our team can greatly reduce the mosquito population around your property. Take back your yard and enjoy the rest of summer to its fullest.

Mosquito Remedies That Don’t Work

Mosquito Remedies That Don't Work

Not only are their constant buzzing annoying and their bites both painful and itchy, mosquitoes can cause disease and even death to humans. Mosquitoes can ruin your outdoor activities, from cookouts to hunting to sporting events. They’re a tiny insect but they cause huge problems.

A Bloodsucker is Born

The entire life cycle of a mosquito only lasts for a short period of time. Male mosquitoes tend to live about a week in ideal conditions, while female mosquitoes may live a few months if situations are right. Mosquitoes will not travel more than a mile from where they hatch, so the mosquitoes that buzz around your face and bite your arms and legs when you’re trying to enjoy the great outdoors were born on your property. A female mosquito can produce as many as 500 eggs before she dies, making the sole purpose of mosquitoes to lay more eggs and make more mosquitoes!

Worthless DIY Mosquito Control

There are many types of do-it-yourself mosquito control techniques, but unfortunately, most of them are worthless:

  • Bug Zappers – These lights attract only male mosquitoes and when this mosquito flies into the light, it gets “zapped” and dies. Because male mosquitoes do not bite humans, it doesn’t make any sense to use bug zappers. The females will continue to bite you.

  • Citronella Plants – Some people plant citronella plants all around their home hoping to repel mosquitoes. While citronella is not favored by mosquitoes, you would have to plant a jungle’s worth of citronella plants for this to be an effective mosquito control method.

  • Dryer Sheets – Some swear that placing a dryer sheet in your pocket will repel mosquitoes. Studies have shown that dryer sheets repel fungus gnats, but there is no evidence that shows they also work to repel mosquitoes.

  • Mouthwash – Spraying yourself with mouthwash may give you a minty-fresh odor, but it’s not going to keep the mosquitoes from landing on you and biting you.

Mosquito Control That Actually Works

To control these bloodsuckers in your yard, you should call on the experts at Russell’s Pest Control. Mosquito control is part of our Power Platinum residential pest control plan, which gives you year-round protection against more than 30 of the most common pests, termites, and carpenter bees. Each quarter, we visit your home and protect you from the pests of the season. If you have trouble in between service visits, just give us a call and we’ll return to ensure you stay pest-free*.