Keep Mosquitoes Out of Your Tire Swing

A tire swing is a quintessential summer accessory. Its budget-friendly materials and easy construction have made it a cornerstone of summer for generations. Making memories is easy and fun with this classic backyard addition.  

While your kids may enjoy the tire swing, unfortunately so do mosquitoes. The interior of the tire, between the sidewalls, is a perfect spot for water to accumulate. It’s also an ideal habitat for mosquitoes to hatch their larvae. A mosquito breeding ground growing in your childrens’ favorite backyard plaything is not ideal. But there are a few things you and your kids can do to keep mosquitoes out of your tire swing before the hatching season starts.   

 Dehydrate Your Tire Swing  

Mosquitoes love areas where water can collect and sit stagnant for long periods of time. To keep mosquito larvae out of your tire swing and away from your backyard activities, address areas where water can accumulate before it becomes a problem. The best way to do this is to drill a few small holes in the bottom of the tire so water can drain out.  

Drill 4-5 holes in the bottom of your tire swing, about 1-2 inches apart. This will ensure there is enough drainage to get rid of any water that might otherwise collect in the bottom of the tire. If you want to get the kids involved, let them help you with the measurements for the holes. 

 Don’t Be Left in the Dark 

Believe it or not, one of the reasons mosquitoes are so attracted to a tire swing is the dark color. Mosquitoes love dark colors, since they are the most likely to trap heat and are the most visible to them. The black color of your tire swing is like rolling out a welcome mat for mosquitoes that says, “this is a great place to lay your eggs and ruin backyard activities.” 

So in this case you don’t have to be a good neighbor. Pull in the ‘welcome’ sign and paint your tire swing a lighter color. White is a great choice. You can even turn it into a fun crafting activity by letting the kids choose from a selection of light colors. Tell them why it’s important to change the color of the tire swing and let them have it with some non-toxic paint.  

Related Topic: What Colors Attract Mosquitoes?

 A Natural Alternative 

While warmer weather usually means more mosquitoes, it also means backyard gardens begin to grow and flourish. Plants and flowers typically attract a variety of animals and insects, some of which can help control the mosquito population.   

Herbs such as lemongrass, mint, and rosemary give off an aroma that can also help reduce the number of mosquitoes in your garden. Garlic, usually reserved for keeping vampires away, can be effective at chasing off the other dreaded bloodsuckers: mosquitoes. Growing these plants can not only help with pest control, it can also be a fun summer hobby that provides a healthy alternative to store-bought produce. 

Related Topic: Do Mosquito Repellant Plants Really Work?

If you want to treat your entire backyard with a natural mosquito barrier, call the professionals at Mosquito Joe. Their concentrated natural barrier spray uses essential oils, such as lemongrass, peppermint or rosemary, and garlic to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas from your property by targeting shrubs, plants, flowers, vegetable gardens, and around ponds where mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas like to rest and feed. It’s an effective natural mosquito repellant that allows you and your family to enjoy a bug-free backyard. 

Getting Back to Fun 

Keeping mosquitoes out of your tire swing is relatively easy compared to keeping mosquitoes from spoiling your backyard fun. For that, consider getting regular mosquito barrier treatments. Call the professionals at Mosquito Joe and have them apply a barrier spray to your entire yard and within 30 minutes you can start enjoying your outdoor activities again. Treatments last for up to 3 weeks and can target potential problem areas. Request a free quote today and let Mosquito Joe make outside fun again! 

Back

New Species of Mosquito Brings a New Threat

In many places throughout the country, the peace and enjoyment of a pleasant evening outdoors is disrupted by annoying, biting mosquitoes. This warm-weather pest can be a real nuisance and put a damper on many outdoor plans and activities. What a lot of people don’t realize is many of these mosquitoes can also carry a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to both humans and pets. Depending on the type of species, some mosquitoes can transmit diseases that result in a lot more than just an itchy rash. One such species will be arriving in certain areas of the country soon, with predictions of more widespread activity throughout this summer.

A New Threat Has Arrived

Scientists have identified a new species of mosquito—Aedes scapularis—that can transmit several nasty diseases. They’re warning residents in specific areas of the country that this new species is capable of transmitting diseases like yellow fever virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, dog heartworm, and other pathogens. This non-native mosquito currently has a wide range, from Texas to parts of South America and throughout much of the Caribbean. It has also become widespread in several South Florida counties, and experts predict many other areas could be highly suitable for the species to thrive and multiply. Researchers, using a process known as ecological niche modeling—a machine-learning algorithm that predicts the potential distribution of the species across regions—identified as many as 16 counties in Florida as “highly suitable.” Other areas like Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and parts of South Carolina could become potential breeding grounds for the species to spread.

Related Topic: What Can You Eat to Deter Mosquitoes?

Increased Awareness and Vigilance Recommended

As a result of these findings, researchers suggest you take extra precautions when venturing outside during the spring and summer months. Bug sprays and candles can only do so much when it comes to repelling mosquitoes. Here are some other easy-to-follow tips to help you prepare for the upcoming, mosquito-heavy months:

  • Keep vegetation pruned.
  • Remove any standing water.
  • Avoid wearing dark colors at night.
  • Keep pets inside at night.

Heavy vegetation provides an ideal environment for insects. Keep plants and shrubs pruned on a regular basis to help reduce the insect population in your backyard. The same is true for any standing water—the most favorable habitat for mosquitoes to grow. Survey your backyard for any areas where water may accumulate and eliminate them, if possible. When you’re outside, especially during dust and evening hours, avoid wearing colors that are more likely to attract mosquitoes. And finally, try to keep pets inside at night. Pets that are left outside overnight are susceptible to mosquito bites, which can transmit diseases like heartworm.

Related Topic: What Colors Attract Mosquitoes?

Taking Back Control of Your Backyard

Dealing with mosquitoes in the spring and summer has become a yearly ritual for many homeowners. Mosquitoes, even ones that don’t carry harmful diseases, can disrupt a peaceful, enjoyable spring or summer respite by driving both people and pets inside for shelter. But as the weather turns warmer, everyone wants to be outdoors enjoying the summer activities we missed during the winter months. Don’t let the threat of mosquitoes keep you inside this season. Take back control of your backyard with a call to the professionals at Mosquito Joe. They offer a variety of services—barrier spraying, natural treatments, misting systems—that will help you enjoy your backyard and make the outdoors fun again!

Back

Puddle Hunt – Make a Game Out of Mosquito Control

With summertime quickly approaching you are probably starting to think about how you’re going to entertain the kids, get them outside, and off the video screens this summer. Outdoor activities are a great summertime ritual—providing fun for kids and a much-needed break for parents. But nothing ruins plans for outdoor fun like mosquitoes or other insects. The last thing you want to hear is the kids running into the house screaming, “I got bitten by a mosquito!” Suddenly all those fun outdoor activities become indoor chaos. It’s hard enough to get them away from the TV. Once the kids are outside, you have to figure out a way to keep them entertained, or it’s game over, literally.

It’s with this in mind that we devised a way for you to combine entertaining the kids with pest control, all in one fell swoop. The puddle hunt game engages kids, keeps them outside, and helps you get rid of any hot spots where mosquitoes like to lay their eggs.

Eliminating Mosquito Nesting Grounds

One of the best ways to minimize a potential mosquito problem this summer is to be proactive about removing mosquito nesting grounds—like standing water. Eliminating these breeding areas reduces the number of places mosquitos can hatch their eggs, which in turn reduces the number of mosquitos, which means you and your children have a better chance to enjoy outdoor activities this summer.

Mosquitoes live in places like puddles and shallow water. These mosquito havens tend to multiply during springtime as rainwater gathers in bird baths, fountains, plant pots and pool covers. In fact, anywhere water accumulates, and sits is an ideal nursery for mosquitoes to nest and hatch their eggs. This can eventually cause big problems once the weather turns warmer and all those newly hatched mosquitos head out in search of a fresh meal. Removing any standing water in the backyard will go a long way towards reducing the number of mosquitos you’ll be swatting this summer.

Make It a Game

One of the best ways to find all the standing water that has gathered throughout the spring is to create a kind of water scavenger hunt for your kids. Kids love games and are usually always willing to hunt and search for things—think Easter egg, hide-and-go-seek. Making a game out searching for standing water can be fun for them and help you eliminate those less than obvious mosquito hiding places.

This game is one game where the more the merrier. Form teams and foster some good-natured competition by asking the children to identify all the spots where water may have gathered before they turn into mosquito breeding grounds.

Provide Rewards

One way to ensure good results is to develop a reward system. Children typically respond well to prizes and positive recognition. For every puddle they find and drain, set up a reward such as a special treat, an extra 15 minutes of TV before bedtime, or a half-hour more of screen time. Offering such rewards as well as, an explanation of why the game is so important, will make children feel like they are contributing to the plan for summer fun—you get something in return too!

What Else You Can Do

When it comes to preparing your backyard for summer fun there are a few extra precautions you can take to ensure those puddles and standing water don’t return with the next rain. Drilling small holes in things like tire swings and trash cans will provide an outlet for the water to drain reducing the number of potential homes for mosquito larvae. Maybe offer an extra reward for each bucket of water the kids turn upside down, so it can’t fill with water again.

The puddle hunt game is a fun and engaging way for children to help minimize the number of places mosquitos like to lay their eggs. But if you really want to enjoy a bug-free backyard this summer, contact Mosquito Joe and make the outdoors fun again.

Back