Monthly Archives: November 2023

You might know ticks as annoying pests that you need to worry about throughout the summer. They aren’t the most pleasant guests because they can carry diseases that harm your health. However, tick control services and other solutions are readily available. It’s just a matter of learning how to get rid of ticks in your yard using the method that’s right for you. We offer residential pest control for protection against all tiny biters!

Get Rid of Ticks with Natural Remedies

Before you go on a tick-eliminating spree, it’s important to consider the best way to deal with these pests. Of course, you can blast them with pesticides. But those can be a bit harsh, especially if you have a loved one who has a sensitive respiratory system. If you’d like to learn how to keep ticks out of your yard with natural remedies, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s review some options.

Cedar Oil Spray

Cedar oil spray is a practical, nontoxic treatment that removes ticks. You can find it in most home improvement or gardening stores. Just apply it to any area of your yard where you’ve noticed tick activity. What’s also beneficial about this spray is that you can use it directly on your skin or clothing when you’re out and about.

While buying a ready-made cedar oil spray is easy, you can always make the mixture yourself if you’re stuck at home without it. Grab an empty spray bottle and add about 60 drops of cedarwood oil. Then dilute with water and add in an ounce of grain alcohol. After that, shake it up, let it settle, and then usher the ticks away from you with a few sprays.

Eucalyptus or Neem Oil

Eucalyptus and neem oil are like kryptonite for ticks. They’ll die instantly if they come in contact with these essential oils. Like cedar oil spray, you can easily make this solution. Grab a spray bottle and mix 30 drops of your chosen oil with four ounces of water. Shake and then spray away.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Another excellent tick treatment for the yard is diatomaceous earth. It’s a powdered form of diatoms and probably one of the more potent natural remedies pests fear. If you plan to use this around your home, don’t worry. It’s entirely safe for kids, pets, and adults.

However, when ticks come in contact with it, they will become dehydrated immediately. That’s a death sentence for ticks because it kills them within a few hours. After a few sprays around your yard, you’ll notice less tick presence, allowing you to enjoy your backyard comfortably.

Get Rid of Ticks with Chemicals

Natural remedies are powerful and can eliminate ticks. But sometimes, the issue may call for more aggressive measures. In these cases, there are multiple options to choose from.

Acaricides

Acaricides can be used as a tick treatment for the yard. However, you must combine this solution with other tick control measures to make the most of this method. It’s also important to note that you should be careful when working with this chemical because it can be highly toxic. If you feel uneasy using this around your home, let the experts at Mosquito Joe® take care of the problem for you.

Fogger:

A fogger is a device that spreads insecticides to eliminate ticks and other pests that may be lurking in your yard. For the most effective chance at tick removal, look for EPA-approved foggers that include a specific insecticide for ticks.

Permethrin Yard Spray:

Another effective tick control measure is permethrin spray. It’s in the pyrethroid family of insecticides and is an excellent tool for perimeter pest control. Before spraying away, read the label on your product because not all permethrin sprays can be applied to particular surfaces or plants.

How Do Professionals From Mosquito Joe® Get Rid of Ticks?

Tick control can be a DIY project, but depending on the method you use, it will require dealing with chemicals, consistent application, and continued maintenance in order to be effective. If you’d rather not deal with all of that, then enlist the help of the local pest control professionals at Mosquito Joe. We know the best way to get rid of these pests, and how to keep them away. Here’s how our process works:

1. Tick inspection

We start with a pest inspection to find out the problem areas in your yard. Remember, although ticks love grass, they can also enter your home through pets or vermin. So we’ll need to check the interior and exterior for certain hot spots they may frequent.

2. Treatment

Following an inspection, we’ll treat your yard and other areas to remove ticks immediately. While we do this, we ask that you keep kids and pets away from the treatment area for at least 30 minutes to allow the application to dry. Once it’s settled, everyone will be able to enjoy the outdoors.

3. Follow-up Treatments

We’ll usually return for a follow-up monthly treatment to keep ticks at bay. Since these pests have a unique life cycle, missing a treatment might mean a rise in the tick population in and around your property. Tick treatment for the yard should start around spring and go into the early fall for the best results.

Maintain a Bite-Free Yard with Mosquito Joe

Now you know how to get rid of ticks in your yard. You can use these methods to protect your family and pets from ticks. If you’re not sure how to apply these methods or you would rather not take a DIY approach to tick control, let the experts at your local Mosquito Joe take care of ticks for you. We offer mosquito and tick control services, and can help you with other pest problems too! All of our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, which guarantees complete customer satisfaction. So, don’t let a tick problem get under your skin, call the pros at Mosquito Joe, and request a free quote today!

When fall rolls around every September, aren’t we able to bid farewell to all the creepy crawling bugs and rodents that have been invading our space all summer? Unfortunately, no. The fall season is the time that pests mate, hibernate, and take shelter from the cooler weather.

In this article, the pest control experts at Mosquito Joe® share information about the fall pests you’re most likely to find in your home and garden this year and some simple ways to prevent them.

Pests That Infest Homes in the Fall

Did you think mosquitos hightail it to Florida when the weather gets cooler? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. While they may be more prevalent in the summer months when doors and windows are open, they still hang around in the fall. In addition to mosquitoes, here are the top seven fall pests that may cause you problems this fall:

1. Ants: Like people, ants look for a warm place to go in the cooler months. Unfortunately, the place where they often find shelter is your home. Ants particularly love sugary or greasy substances, so to prevent them from taking up permanent residence in your home, keep areas where food is stored and prepared clean, and seal any entry points (no matter how small they seem).
2. Spiders: During the fall, spiders are out searching for mates and nesting sites. This is why they seem like they may be taking over your home from September to December. Regular cleaning and decluttering can help reduce their presence.
3. Centipedes: These creepy crawly creatures with all the legs look scary, but they aren’t necessarily our enemy. While you may not want them hanging out in your house, they do make themselves useful by hunting other insects and spiders who have also invaded your personal space in search of food, water, and a warm bed.
4. Cluster Flies: Cluster flies hibernate in the winter season, so around fall, they are looking for somewhere warm and dark to sleep for the winter. Seal cracks in the walls of your home, and make sure all of your doors and windows have screens to keep these flies out.
5. Stink bugs: No one wants this common fall bug lurking around their house. When threatened, stink bugs let out a smelly odor that contains a chemical that attracts other stink bugs. Unfortunately, stink bugs tend to be highly resistant to pesticides, so removing stink bugs can be challenging.
6. Mice and Rats: As temperatures drop, rodents find warmth and food inside homes. They can damage wiring and may carry diseases, so it’s crucial to eliminate any potential entry points and maintain a clean environment.
7. Mosquitoes: As mentioned, mosquitoes can still be active during the fall, depending on the climate. Some species can survive cooler temperatures, and some mosquitoes can even make it through winter, so it’s important to take measures to prevent breeding, such as removing standing water.

Keep Pests Out of Your Home When Temperatures Drop

How to prevent pests and rodents from taking over your home as temperatures cool down requires a combination of preventive measures.

Here are some fall pest control tips that will help:

• Seal Entry Points: Look for gaps around windows and doors and check for cracks in the foundation. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these openings and prevent pests from finding their way indoors.
• Maintain a Clean Home: Keep countertops, floors, and other surfaces free of crumbs and spills. Empty trash cans regularly and keep garbage in sealed containers.
• Store Food Properly: Keep food in airtight containers to prevent pests like ants or pantry beetles from accessing it. Don’t leave pet food out overnight, and clean up spills promptly.
• Remove Clutter: Pests love the cluttered areas in your home for hiding places and nesting sites. Declutter your home, especially in storage areas like basements and attics.
• Maintain Outdoor Areas: Trim vegetation and shrubs away from your home because they can act as a pathway for pets to enter. Remove any standing water from gutters, flowerpots, or other outdoor containers to prevent mosquito breeding.
• Regular Pest Inspections: Regularly inspect your home for signs of pests. If you see droppings, gnaw marks, or damaged materials, call Mosquito Joe! If you find that preventive measures are not effective or the pest problem persists, it’s time to call in the experts.

Fall Pest Control Treatment

Don’t let fall pests put a damper on pumpkin and apple pie season. With Mosquito Joe’s expertise in fall pest service, you can protect your home and property from these damaging pests. Our service professionals understand the unique behavior of pests during all seasons and implement targeted strategies to manage their population effectively. And with The Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee to back every treatment, your satisfaction is guaranteed.

With locations across the United States, Mosquito Joe provides comprehensive pest control services tailored to your specific climate and local pest behavior.

Call on Mosquito Joe pest control and breathe easy. Request a quote today!

Picture this: It’s a beautiful evening, and you have family and friends over. Suddenly, you hear that distinctive low buzz. A few minutes later, a spot on your arm starts itching. Unfortunately, your evening’s been disrupted by a familiar occurrence: You’ve been bitten by a mosquito.

As we all know, mosquitoes are one of the most annoying pests. They can quickly ruin almost any outdoor activity.. Not only do they disturb outdoor events and decrease comfort at home, but they also carry diseases like West Nile, Zika, and Triple E, all of which have the potential to impact your health. But nobody said you just have to sit there and take it. This article will explain how to keep mosquitoes away while sitting outside. It’s time to take back your outdoor fun, so let’s get right to it!

10 Secrets to Keep Mosquitoes Away From Outdoor Spaces

How to keep mosquitoes away from your patio, yard, and other outdoor spaces is all about knowing what mosquitoes like, and don’t like. Here are our 10 best methods for keeping mosquitoes away from your good time.

1. Wear Tightly Woven, Light-Colored Clothes

When the weather is warm, you want to wear clothes that won’t have you melting in the sun. Loose-fitting clothes are usually the preferred option. But when mosquitoes are lurking around your yard, that’s not really the best option. When mosquitoes are on the hunt it’s better to wear tight, light-colored clothing.

Why? Well, a mosquito will have difficulty penetrating clothing with thick layers. Furthermore, they are attracted to dark colors like black, blue, or navy. Do your best to wear lighter colors so they don’t come looking for you.

2. Eliminate Stagnant Water

While rain may help to cool things off on a hot day, it also increases standing water, which is a big no-no when it comes to mosquito prevention. Mosquitoes love standing water as much as some kids love chocolate. They lay eggs and make nests around the area, increasing their population.

Inspect your yard to see if there are any puddles or standing water. You can use a broom, bucket, or pail to disperse the water.

3. Use Specialized Mosquito Traps

Sometimes, no matter what you do, it seems impossible to rid your property of mosquitoes. But don’t blame yourself; they’re tricky pests! You may need to employ sophisticated methods to rid your property of mosquitoes. One approach is to use specialized mosquito traps.

These devices lure female mosquitoes (the only ones that bite) before they get ready to lay their eggs. Once the mosquito enters the trap, its body is covered in a poison that it then unknowingly carries around. This affects other mosquitoes and eggs, disrupting their life cycle and reducing their population in your yard.

4. Install an Automatic Mosquito Misting System

Invest in an automatic mosquito misting system if you’re looking for a more powerful solution to your mosquito problem. It’s an ideal mosquito control solution for outside areas.

As the name indicates, the system is automatic, so you don’t have to do anything. Once it’s set up. These devices can be set up to release a mosquito repellent at specific intervals, according to your liking, killing any pests that might be around.

5. Plant Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Most insects love plants because they can feed and relax on the leaves. However, certain plants can have adverse effects on mosquitoes and keep them away from your yard. That’s because mosquitoes dislike the smell of essential oil as much as we dislike their presence. The best plants to help repel these pests include:

• Lavender
• Lemon Grass
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Sage

6. Change Your Lighting

Did you know that your lighting can affect mosquitoes? If you have standard light bulbs, mosquitoes will likely be flocking around that area, especially at night, as they use that light to search for food.

This doesn’t mean you have to sit in the dark to keep mosquitoes at bay. Instead, you can install some UV lights in areas where people gather. This lighting is less attractive to mosquitoes, which will help reduce their numbers.

7. Light Citronella Candles

Most bugs don’t like fire because it can kill them instantly. When fire is paired with a powerful scent, the result is an effective mosquito repellent. That is why citronella is so widely used to combat these pests.

It gives off a powerful smell that most bugs—namely mosquitoes—don’t love. So, if you plan on sitting outside, light a few of these candles to enjoy your evening in peace.

8. Avoid Peak Mosquito Hours When You Can

If it seems like there’s a mosquito waiting to bite you whenever you spend time outdoors, take note of the time of day that you’re going outside.

Mosquitoes are most active during sunrise and sunset because mosquitoes don’t like to be outside during the hottest part of the day.To enjoy your backyard, try heading outdoors when the sun is at its peak. Seek a shady spot and have some hydration handy. You may be a little warmer, but your chances of encountering mosquitoes will be less.

9. Spray Hydrogen Peroxide

Does hydrogen peroxide repel mosquitoes? The short answer is yes, it does. It’s an affordable mosquito-repellant hack you can use when you don’t have other options. If you’ve been wondering how to keep mosquitoes away from patio furniture, use a spray bottle to apply the solution to your patio furniture and other areas where mosquitoes frequent. This will help keep mosquitoes away for a short period and can kill any eggs they may have laid in the process.

Make the Outdoors Fun Again!

Now that you know how to keep mosquitoes away while sitting outside, it’s time to put it all to work. While not every method we mentioned will be effective in every situation, it’s important to remember that keeping mosquitoes away from your outdoor fun requires a proactive approach. One of the best and most effective ways to keep mosquitoes from ruining your outdoor activities is with the help of experts like Mosquito Joe®.

We know bugs and the best ways to keep them away from your outdoor areas. Our services are designed to eliminate mosquitoes and other pests so you can enjoy the time you spend on your patio, in your pool, or enjoying your backyard. And with work that’s backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™, you can rest assured the job will be done right the first time. To learn more or to get started, request a free quote today!