Monthly Archives: August 2014

We’re already halfway through the hottest month of the summer, but we’re also in the peak of another season that may not be on your radar: the season for mosquito borne illness. While the risk of mosquito borne illness is present whenever mosquitoes are, the heat of summer is when we start to see numbers really start to rise. This year, we’re not only seeing the reports of West Nile cases rising; we’ve got another one to watch as reports of Chikungunya fever continue to pop up across the country.

If you read our blog post in July about Chikungunya, you read about how the disease made its presence in the United States by travelers returning from the Caribbean. As of now, four locally transmitted cases have been reported in Southern Florida. While that brings concern primarily to mosquito control in Florida, researchers are worried about any area that contains the Asian tiger mosquito. The Asian tiger mosquito is the most aggressive and the most efficient at spreading the disease. The most common symptoms of chikungunya virus infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash.

West Nile numbers are also rising as it makes its presence known all over the country. As of August 12, a total of 40 states and the District of Columbia have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. In the United States, 124 cases of West Nile virus in people have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine or cure for West Nile Virus so prevention is important. Most people who become infected (80%) don’t even display symptoms, but those that do have high fever, nausea, and aching with joint pain.

Awareness of the dangers of mosquito borne illness is the first step to a safer summer; however, you should take appropriate actions to protect yourself this time of year. We’ve provided mosquito control tips for your backyard in past posts, and encourage you to protect your yard from mosquitoes with a professional mosquito control treatment, but no matter where you are outside, make sure to wear long sleeves and pants to avoid bites. Take particular care during dawn or dusk (prime mosquito feeding times) and take care of those around you as well!

**Occasionally we like to provide a blog post that will help you get to know Joe. From our technicians to our corporate staff to our hardworking franchisees – we think our company is full of people you ought to know!**

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Clark. Steve has been an entrepreneur since the age of twelve when he starting mowing lawns in his neighborhood with his brother. He eventually turned that concept into a successful lawn and landscaping business, while teaching high school agriculture and biology on the side.  After deciding to stop teaching and put full energy into his business, he became aware of mosquito control treatments and saw the opportunity to add a complementary service to his business portfolio.  After reading an article about Mosquito Joe in Kiplinger magazine the wheels started turning, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Meet Steve Clark of Mosquito Joe of East Memphis, TN

Steve graduated from the University of Tennessee with Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, where he continued to mow lawns and keep yards looking pristine. After graduation he started his lawn company Southern Lawn and Pest Inc. where his interest turned to weed control and fertilization and other practices that help maintain the overall health of a lawn.

Flash forward a few years…after attending a concert with his daughter that had been treated for mosquitoes, he realized how wonderful it was to enjoy being outdoors without swatting and just how much Memphis could benefit. With his clients established on the lawn care side, he could not only keep their lawns healthy, but he could keep his customers healthy (and itch free!) too.

“We decided to add a Mosquito Joe division to our Southern Lawn & Pest business because we knew it would be a perfect fit for our clients,” says Steve, “We also see it as a great opportunity to reach out to more potential lawn care customers through Mosquito Joe. Each business is really going to help grow the other.”

Mosquito Joe of East Memphis launched in the spring of 2014 and Steve maintains his southern charm with his business. He prides himself in putting the customer first and giving great service at a good value.

We couldn’t be happier to have Steve and his team as part of the Mosquito Joe family and wish them the best of luck. If you’re interested in mosquito control services in the Memphis, TN area to rid your yard of pesky mosquitoes, ticks and fleas, visit the Mosquito Joe of East Memphis website or call their office at 901-881-5406 for more information or a free quote.

The first day of August is here! I can’t believe this summer is flying by as quickly as it is. Last week I took my dog in for her annual checkup at the vet, and I noticed a big poster on the wall about the dangers of leaving your pet in the car during the months that are hot. As we make our way into one of the hottest months of the year, it got me thinking about other things in the summer that can be harmful (and irritating) to our pets.

When the temperature goes up, the insects come out. That’s not new news, but the amount of fleas and ticks that summer brings could be. The ideal temperature for these pet problems are between 70-90 degrees. That’s generally a typical summer day for most parts of the country. Fleas and ticks also require high humidity level around 70% which increases the chance for large amounts of the insects in areas like the Southeast of the US.

Ticks find their hosts by detecting animals´ breath and body odors, or by sensing body heat and moisture, all of which are upped during the summer months and fleas, well…they’ll jump to find you. You get the picture. Hot = fleas and ticks. To make sure your pet is safe this summer here are some tips to keep them cool, hydrated, and and itch free this summer.

• If dogs or cats must be outside, make sure they have an adequate supply of water.
• If they are tied to a unmovable object, make sure shade is in their reach.
• Never leave your dog alone in the car (even with the windows down) during the summer months. 
• Make sure you have your cats and dogs on a flea and tick prevention program year round.
• Mosquito Joe barrier treatments help protect against fleas and ticks and set up a perimeter around your yard, keeping them out.

We love seeing pictures of our customers (two legged or four legged) so if you have plans that involve getting out in your yard with your pet this weekend, we’d love to see pictures. Send them to marketing@mosquitojoe.com and you may be featured on our Facebook page or in a future blog post! We hope you enjoy your weekend!