Mosquitoes: Pure Annoyance Or Real Threat?

Mosquitoes: Pure Annoyance Or Real Threat?

Although you can’t see anything, your eyes are wide open. The covers of your bed are clenched in both fists as you listen intently. You can hear it. The sound is faint and distant, but it demands your complete attention. There is a mosquito in your room.  And, there is no way you’re getting to sleep until that mosquito is dead. Does this sound like you?

How about this? You’re relaxing in a hammock or lawn chair. There was a light breeze, but it has died down. Suddenly, there’s a high pitched whine. But as soon as you start to hear it the noise is already fading, like a tiny race car passing on a miniature track. Now, instead of enjoying your relaxing time out in nature, all you can think about is the dumb mosquito.

Okay. One more. You’re hanging out around a campfire with friends and you notice that your body is doing a weird dance. Every so often your spine wiggles, your feet kick out one at a time, your shoulder flinches, or your hand does a swoop past your face. This isn’t a new dance craze. You are trying to keep those mosquitoes from taking a bite out of you.

Dealing with mosquitoes is all part of living on a planet where there are billions of them. But these pests are becoming much less of an annoyance and much more of a real threat, especially here in the United States where we’ve had some success in keeping deadly mosquito viruses at bay.

Why are mosquitoes becoming more of a threat?

These blood-eating pests have always been a threat for underdeveloped countries, especially in areas of great poverty and disease. This is because mosquitoes transfer disease from one human to the next–making a bad situation worse. But, with the increase in world travel, it only takes a few hours for an infected person to leave one of these countries and enter ours. Once here, those viruses can be picked up by local mosquito populations.

While we have one of the best medical infrastructures in the world, and it is far less common for someone in the United States to die from a mosquito-related virus, it still happens, and, it is still extremely uncomfortable to get sick with these viruses even if they don’t kill you.

Mosquito Protection

The days of mosquitoes being a simple annoyance are long gone. Protect your home and your community by taking part in mosquito control. This is the first line of defense used by our government, but it is incomplete without the help of businesses and homeowners. Be part of the solution that is keeping our country safe. Consider getting mosquito services today from the experts here at Russell’s Pest Control. We’ve been protecting our family, friends, and neighbors for almost 50 years. With Russell’s Pest Control you can rest assured knowing that you’re getting the best in pest control service at a fair price. Protect your family and your community from mosquitoes with our mosquito control service.

Zika And Expecting Mothers

Zika And Expecting Mothers

The Zika virus is causing a lot of fear right now, and for good reason. This virus is directly linked to microcephaly, a birth defect that stops the growth of an infant’s brain. It’s a lifelong condition that can include complications such as significant brain damage, delayed motor and speech functions, seizures, and other brain-related problems. And, with high profile news stories about Olympians being concerned about exposure to this virus when traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it is no wonder tensions are high. While we should always be concerned about mosquitoes in Knoxville, Tennessee, the immediate Zika virus threat should be considered minimal. Of course, the threat level could change at any moment.
Here are some things you can do to reduce the risk for you and your baby:

  • The greatest danger for Zika right now is travel. If you are with a child, it is not wise to take a trip to a country where Zika is known to be spreading. Cases of Zika in the United States are currently limited to those who have recently returned from a trip abroad.
  • This virus has not yet begun to spread through native mosquito populations. When spring comes, it is extremely important to watch news reports to see if these changes because a mosquito that bites someone infected with the Zika virus can transmit it to those who do not have the virus.
  • Standard mosquito prevention is needed to reduce risk. Use repellents that have DEET. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when possible. Avoid dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Mosquitoes breed in water. By reducing standing water sources in your yard, you can help to reduce the mosquito population in your community. Make sure you do not have obstructed gutters. Apply fill to areas in your yard that collect water. Remove objects in your yard that collect water.
  • One of the reasons the United States has a significantly lower rate of Malaria cases is due to proactive mosquito abatement practices. This applies to the Zika virus as well. If you have a professional perform mosquito abatement, you can reduce your risk and the risk of others in your community. Together, we can make our country safer.

At Russell’s Pest Control, we are proud to have one of the most effective and comprehensive mosquito abatement programs available for homes and businesses here in Tennessee. We know where these insects breed and where they hide. If you have questions about how you can help to protect yourself and your community from mosquito-spread viruses like Zika, give us a call at 865-584-8549, or fill out our contact form and one of our representatives will contact you shortly.

Doable Mosquito Prevention Tips For This Summer

Doable Mosquito Prevention Tips For This Summer

Mosquitoes are quite possibly the biggest menace of summer. These buzzing, irritating, blood sucking, disease ridden, flying menaces are all but impossible to avoid. They aren’t picky about who or what they bite in search of their next blood meal and they reproduce quickly and numerously. What can you do to protect your family this summer? Here are a few easy tips to help you and your loved ones have a safer mosquito season this summer!

Cover up! Cover as much of your skin as comfortable. The concept is simple, the less exposed skin, the less appetizing you are to a mosquito! Spray your clothing and exposed skin with an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellant. The C.D.C. recommends using products with ingredients like:

  • Picaridin

  • Deet

  • IR3535

  • Plant based oil of lemon eucalyptus

Avoid mosquito time. Mosquitoes are most active in the cooler morning and evening hours. Schedule your outside time around these mosquito prime hunting times. Less exposure to them equals less bites.

Remove mosquito attractants from your property. Mosquitos gravitate to areas with water. They are able to lay eggs in small amounts of standing water. Inspect your property for standing water. Be sure to check things like:

  • outside toys

  • toy boxes

  • flower pots

  • rain barrels

  • pool toys

  • lawn and deck furniture

  • shovels and yard tools

  • gutter and water removal systems

Standing water of any size is an open invitation for a mosquito breeding ground. Remove it, and decrease your mosquito exposure significantly.

Inspect all insect screens on your home. Check all the screens on your doors and windows regularly. The smallest tear or damage can allow mosquitoes (and other insects) free access to the inside of your home. Be sure to quickly repair or replace these damaged screens. Some types of screens can be repaired by replacing the screening, while others may have to be completely replaced.

Inform your family of the real dangers of mosquitoes. Educating your family about mosquitoes and how to limit their exposure to them is crucial in your war against mosquitoes. They can be their own best ally or worst enemy if they don’t know the proper precautions to take.

Contact a local pest control for some professional measures. There are many steps that professionals can take to help you defend your home, your family and your pets from mosquitos.

It is possible to get out and enjoy the summer weather this year without being pommelled by mosquitos or suffering from a plethora of their bites and side effects. Following these few tips will help you to enjoy the weather and your family mosquito free!