Mosquito Breeding Grounds in Your Yard

Mosquito breeding grounds in your Knoxville TN yard - Russell's Pest Control

Summertime here in Knoxville calls for warm, humid days. Unfortunately, our climate is ideal for mosquitoes, who are very active at dawn and dusk. If you’ve spent time outdoors during this time, you know it can seem like mosquitoes are everywhere. You may unknowingly have mosquito breeding grounds right in your backyard! Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to keep mosquitoes from breeding in your yard.

The team at Russell’s is here to share expert info on eliminating mosquitoes from your property for good–read on to learn more!

The Mosquito Breeding Process

After breeding, female mosquitoes are able to lay anywhere from 100-300 eggs at a time. Once the larvae hatch, mosquitoes will become adults in just under two week’s time. Their quick life cycle means they can quickly infest your yard! For this reason, it’s crucial to know how to eliminate all mosquito breeding grounds in the first place. A few of the most common mosquito hot spots include:

  • Old tires
  • Birdbaths
  • Gutters
  • Mud pots
  • Tree stumps and wood piles
  • Children’s play sets
  • Trash cans
  • Any other area harboring stagnant water

Mosquito prevention tips and ticks for homes in Knoxville TN - Russell's Pest Control

Other Opportunities to Prevent Mosquitoes

On a regular basis, inspect your property for the above listed items. If you notice any of them are holding standing water, dump them out. In addition, it’s smart to cover items as much as possible. If you are able to reduce mosquito breeding sites, you can successfully keep them away.

A few other things you can do to prevent mosquitoes include installing screens on windows and doors, reducing outdoor lighting at night, keeping your lawn trimmed, fixing water leaks promptly, and using repellents containing DEET as necessary following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Keeping Mosquitoes Away in Knoxville

Mosquitoes are a nuisance and no one wants them in their backyard, let alone breeding in their backyard! If you’ve done everything you can to get rid of common breed grounds for mosquitoes and still are dealing with them, contact the mosquito exterminators at Russell’s today. We focus on long-term mosquito control to keep you and your family safe from these blood-suckers year-round.

Is Coronavirus Transmitted Through Mosquito Bites?

Mosquito bites do not transmit COVID-19 in Knoxville TN and worldwide. Learn more from Russell's Pest Control.

Here at Russell’s Pest Control, we understand how uncertain times are right now, and how our communities are being affected. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation to stay up-to-date with the latest information. Now and always, our focus remains to be our dedication to the safety and health of our neighbors here in Knoxville TN. With news about the nature of the virus being updated constantly, there are still endless questions about how it is spread. Currently, there is no evidence or proof to suggest that mosquitoes and ticks transmit coronaviruses. Although these insects responsible for some of the world’s worst diseases with their bites, COVID-19 is thankfully not one of them.

In the following post, we will explore on the differences between vector-borne diseases and COVID-19 to help dispel common myths about transmission.

Are Mosquito Bites Transmitting COVID-19?

To date, there is no scientific evidence that mosquitoes and ticks transmit COVID-19. Coronavirus is a respiratory virus that, to date, is spread through person-to-person contact.  COVID-19 spreads through droplets from saliva or nasal discharge, often generated when an infected person sneezes or coughs. It can also be transmitted via contact with a contaminated surface and is increasingly considered to be an airborne virus. From what we know, coronaviruses are best avoided by avoiding exposure with infected persons. Studies have shown that COVID-19 may be spread by asymptomatic people, making social distancing a must. Diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks are entirely different.

Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes and Ticks

Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are considered vectors. But what are vectors? Vector pests are organisms that transmit diseases to humans through bites. Ticks and mosquitoes are feared worldwide for their roles in the transmission of dangerous diseases over the past decades:

  • Mosquitoes are are able to transmit some of the most deadly diseases, including malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, chikungunya, yellow fever, and more.
  • Ticks are most known for their ability to spread Lyme disease, which is currently the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.
  • If these vector pests feeds off a diseased host, they can transmit pathogens that can infect other hosts it subsequently bites. This is how humans get these diseases.

Mosquito Prevention During a Pandemic

Mosquitoes may be feared for their transmission of diseases, but to date, COVID-19 is not one of them. Here at Russell’s, we understand mosquitoes are still a threat. As always, it’s important to take caution in the presence of pests and to always enlist the help of a professional exterminator to prevent dangerous insects. Our team continues to provide essential pest control services to our communities during these trying times.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, we encourage our customers to seek more information and follow guidelines released by the WHO and the CDC.

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.

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*.

Everyone Is Talking About Zika

Everyone Is Talking About Zika

There is a new virus on the block and it has everyone talking. That’s how it goes. When something new happens, it is big news. But when it keeps happening, we move on and start talking about something else. For instance, we all know that crimes happen all across the country every single day. But we don’t hear about the vast majority of them. Nor would we want to. It would get exhausting. The same things are true with mosquito viruses. People get horribly sick and even die, from mosquito-borne diseases each year. But it happens so frequently, it is no longer reported. So, I guess we should thank Zika for getting people to talk about how dangerous mosquitoes can be, again.

In the war against mosquitoes, we are actually winning. Do you know that mosquitoes are directly connected to over 3 million deaths worldwide every year? But we have considerably fewer deaths in the United States. This is due to several reasons: high standard of sanitation, an effective and accessible health care system, widespread mosquito abatement, and more. When compared to the countries around us, there is a stark contrast in the impact mosquitoes have. But that can change.

The Zika virus hit Brazil in 2015. In only one year it has affected millions of people. That is a staggering statistic. This is a virus that can spread quickly. But here in the United States, it has not spread to local mosquito populations yet. All current cases of Zika virus are travel related. Unfortunately, this is not the case for other viruses, such as encephalitis, that travels from animals to mosquitoes and back again. Viruses like West Nile, dengue, yellow fever, eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Western equine encephalitis, and LaCrosse encephalitis, are here to stay. All of these viruses use animals and mosquitoes to incubate into an infectious disease, and all of these are characterized by a swelling of the brain. These can be very uncomfortable viruses to contract, and many of them produce joint pain, body aches, flu-like symptoms, and can lead to death.

So it is a good idea that Zika has everyone talking. This virus isn’t spreading locally yet. But since it has everyone talking, it has renewed the resolve of many municipalities, businesses, and homeowners to get mosquito services, which naturally work to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases that use mosquitoes as a vector.

If you would like to be part of the solution that is protecting our families from all of the many mosquito diseases that are currently spread in local mosquito populations, and help to reduce the threat of an outbreak of Zika, malaria, and other non-local viruses, reach out to us today and start the conversation.

Mosquitoes: Pure Annoyance Or Real Threat?

Pest control services in knoxville TN

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.

How To Reduce Mosquitoes On Your Property

How To Reduce Mosquitoes On Your Property

Living with mosquitoes is inevitable. They come every summer as things start to heat up. They multiply quickly and seem impossible to get rid of. These tiny, little pests can ruin a nice summer day by swarming your property. These flying pests are not only annoying, they are also dangerous. They are known for spreading diseases worldwide. What can you do this summer to help keep these pests to a minimum? There a few tricks and tips to do around your property that can help reduce your mosquito population this summer.

  • Eliminate Stagnant Water: Stagnant water is the number one breeding ground for mosquitoes. If you find that you have a lot of stagnant water around your home, it is best to eliminate these sources. This could be anything from a bird bath to a pond. If you have a bird bath or kiddie pool, it is best to change the water out daily. This will keep them from breeding in that water source.

  • Repair Screens: Take time to repair any screens around your home with rips or tears. It doesn’t take that big of a tear for these pests to find their way into your home. Repair screens found in windows, doors or screened in porches. Sealing up your home’s exterior is the best way to keep the interior safe and pest free.

  • Repellent: Using the proper insect repellent is a good way to keep insects away during the hours of dawn and dusk, when they are most active. Your insect repellent should use DEET for the best results.

  • Wear Appropriate Clothing: Wearing the right clothing can help repel insects. Wearing long sleeves and pants is the best way to avoid insect bites to exposed skin. If you spray your clothing with repellent then it will be an even stronger bug barrier.

Mosquitoes are a very common pest to have during the hot summers in Tennessee. They are, unfortunately, impossible to completely eliminate. But these tips should help you to control the mosquito population around your home. If you find you need extra help reducing mosquitoes around your home, contact Russell’s Pest Control today for more help.