For many North Carolina residents, getting our yards ready for summer not only means sharpening the mower blade or fertilizing the flowers. It also means ensuring we have citronella torches and bug spray at the ready to keep mosquitoes away. Mosquito bites are not only annoying, but they can also cause serious medical issues. A professional mosquito control treatment will protect your family. Here’s why y
ou should consider getting it this summer.
Mosquito Control Prevents Disease
Mosquitoes can affect no
t only people but our pets as well. Thankfully, many of the worst diseases like Zika and malaria are not a threat in the US. However, that may change as the climate warms and tropical mosquitoes from
South America migrate north.
West Nile Virus
Symptoms of West Nile Virus are similar to the flu. They include things like headache, fever, body or muscle aches, or a mild rash. If you’re lucky, you might be asymptomatic, meaning you don’t appear sick at all. However, West Nile may develop a more severe form of the virus known as neuroinvasive disease or WNND. The symptoms of WNND are severe and, in some cases, can lead to permanent health problems. WNND can cause encephalitis, meningitis, muscle weakness, or even permanent neurological com
plications, such as paralysis, memory loss, and sensitivity to light. An
d unfortunately, there
is no cure for the West Nile virus. The best “cure” is to avoid it altogether by killing mosquitoes.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
EEEV is rare, but once you are infected, it’s devastating. You may not notice symptoms for 4 to 10 days. Like WNND, EEEV infection can cause neurologic diseases like meningitis or encephalitis. Mos
t people have symptoms like
fever, chills, malaise, arthralgia, and myalgia. The illness lasts up to two weeks, and most people recover completely. But like WNND, EEEV can take a severe turn if it affects the nervous system. Signs and symptoms of the neurologic disease include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, drowsiness, and coma. Younger children are more susceptible to have their nervous system affected and therefore develop more serious conditions. While this disease is rare, it’s becoming a larger problem in the US.
How To Combat The Mosquito Problem
Target Mosquito Breeding Grounds
One of the reasons that mosquitoes are so good at surviving is related to their life cycle. Female mosq
uitoes can lay their eggs in pretty much any water that is still. These eggs will eventually hatch and turn into flying mosquitoes, but larval mosquitoes need a source of water that won’t be disturbed. Therefore, one of the easiest ways to eliminate mosquitoes is to eliminate “hot spot” areas where they can breed. We’ll send a lawn care service technician to target the most common areas we see that encourage mosquito growth. These places include things like:
- Flower pots
- Children’s toys
- Buckets
- Birdbaths
- Old tires
- Lawn furniture
- Rain collectors
Don’t Overwater Or Undermow
When you overwater your lawn, the water will pool on the surface, which, as we know, encourages mosquitoes to breed. Also, don’t let your grass get too long. Adult mosquitoes seek shelter in tall grass during the day. And tall grass invites other pests like fleas and ticks!
Bug Spray Only Goes So Far
Bug spray with 25 – 30% DEET or 15% picaridin has been proven effective in repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects. However, you might forget to reapply, and let’s be honest: bug spray does not smell appealing. It’s a smelly, temporary solution that doesn’t get to the heart of the problem.
Mosquito Control Is The Only Effective Solution
Our technicians will treat your yard multiple times throughout the summer, so you’ll enjoy a mosquito-free yard and never have to worry about a lapse in coverage. Once dry, it’s effective even in humid or rainy conditions and is safe for children and pets. Most importantly: it kills mosquitoes at all stages of their life cycle. From breeding adults to eggs, mosquitoes will be wiped out. That means no more stinky bug spray or citronella torches. No more swatting and itching. You can enjoy your outdoor space as it was meant to be enjoyed.
Hire Pest Control Near Charlotte, NC
There’s no reason to tolerate annoying mosquitoes. Make this summer the year you take back control of your yard. Get professional pest control from Pine Valley Turf. We offer not only lawn care services but also mosquito control so you can enjoy your beautiful yard in peace. If you’re ready to ditch the bug spray, give us a call at (704) 831-8917 or leave us a message online.
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