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Flea bites are itchy and obnoxious — but what can you do? If you have pets, you have to deal with flea bites. Right? Are flea bites dangerous? Surely, a few flea bites on humans are a small, albeit irritating, price to pay for the company of our beloved pets.

Unfortunately, when fleas bite your cat or dog, it can cause more serious problems than you might think for both you and your pet(s).

For people and pets who are sensitive to them, flea bites can range from irritating to maddening. Due to the pathogens they carry, diseases from flea bites can also pose serious health issues. The dangers of flea bites go well beyond skin deep. It’s vital to remain alert to how flea bites are dangerous because early detection and prompt treatment are critical to preventing potential complications. Let’s take a closer look so you can devise the best protection for you and your pets.

Flea Bites on Pets: Signs and Risks

Because some flea bites are dangerous, it’s essential to recognize them. When a person, cat, or dog is bitten by fleas, the critter injects a small amount of saliva into the skin while it feeds on the victim’s blood (sorry!). The saliva contains specific proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction in some people and pets. The bite swells, and the immediate area around the flea bite can become red, itchy, and inflamed. Worse — fleas don’t just bite once and go on their way. They can bite multiple times, especially if they are disturbed while feeding. A flea bite rash occurs when a flea bites several times in close proximity, making the itchy inflammation worse, even for those who are not allergic. That inflammation drives constant scratching, which risks skin infections.

The dangers of flea bites include skin infections, allergic responses to the bites, and the possibility of contracting disease from flea bites. If your cat or dog is bitten by fleas, it’s essential to monitor them to be certain the bites don’t become infected or worse.

Flea bites indicate it’s time to level up your efforts to get fleas off your pets, protecting them and yourself. The first place to eradicate fleas is to directly treat your pet, the most susceptible host to the nasty biters. These are the best ways to protect your pet from the dangers of flea bites:

• Consider using flea collars as part of a multi-pronged flea prevention approach.
• Look into monthly, topical flea treatments that can kill adult fleas and eggs.
• Prevent your pets from spending time in flea-infested locations.
• If you have a yard, schedule a barrier treatment to effectively reduce the risk of flea and tick bites.
• Limit wildlife access to your property where your pets spend time.
• Brush pets regularly using a flea comb.
• Use a topical flea spray to kill fleas removed by the comb or for spot treatments where your pet scratches.
• Bathe pets regularly using flea shampoo. Check your pets’ sensitivity to specific products, as some pets react adversely to certain shampoo ingredients.

These steps are the best start to protecting your pets from the dangers of flea bites. Of course, pets aren’t the only ones who need protection.

Are Flea Bites Dangerous for Humans?

Flea bites on humans can be as itchy, irritating, and even dangerous as on pets. On people, flea bites are small, red, raised bumps that are firm to the touch. They occur most frequently on the legs, particularly the feet, ankles, and calves. Fleas typically bite repeatedly, in a straight line, or in a cluster of bites.

Like our pets, we are prone to allergic reactions and contracting disease from flea bites. Even when we don’t get sick, the bites are itchy and can be painful. There are multiple ways to treat flea bites on people. First, wash the bite with soap and water to help prevent infection. Then, consider these treatment options:

• Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling, itching, and pain.
• Apply a topical anti-itch cream with calamine or pramoxine.
• Take an antihistamine to combat itching and swelling.
• Take oral steroids if swelling grows severe.
• Make a meat tenderizer paste and apply to the bite.

Meat tenderizer paste includes papain, an enzyme that breaks down the proteins and toxins in bug bites. If a meat tenderizer is not available, try using baking soda, Epsom salt, or a paste made from crushed aspirin and water.

Important Note: These treatment options only work on the symptoms of the flea bites themselves. They do not treat or prevent disease from flea bites.

Diseases and Illnesses Caused by Flea Bites

The most common flea-borne disease is flea allergy dermatitis. It is an immunologic disease caused by an allergy to the fleas’ saliva and is both a common and serious danger of flea bites. Flea allergy dermatitis can be severe for people, cats, and dogs bitten by fleas. The symptoms include:

• Intense itching all over the body
• Red, oozing lesions called hot spots
• Skin inflammation
• Hair loss
• Painful scabs

Dogs and cats afflicted with flea allergy dermatitis are driven to scratch, lick, chew, and bite at their itchy skin, even tugging out tufts of fur to relieve the itching and discomfort. Frustratingly, the only effective treatment for this flea-borne disease is to completely eliminate the flea bites by removing the biters from your pet, your home, and your yard.

Thus far, we have focused on the dangers of flea bites themselves. Because some people and animals are allergic to flea saliva, any bite can harm their health. But what if the flea is infected? That pathogen, too, enters the wound along with the saliva. So, each new host, whether a person or pet, can be infected with whatever disease or bacteria the flea carries.

Additional dangers and diseases from flea bites include:

• Bartonella is a group of bacteria that can cause multiple infectious diseases in people and pets. It causes cat scratch fever and is associated with severe conditions, including heart disease, eye inflammation, and seizures.
• Flea bites can result in a tapeworm developing in your pet’s intestines. This can cause weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and an itchy anus, leading to pets “scooting” along on their rear.
• Anemia can result from flea bites when the biter drains an animal’s blood faster than they can replace it. People and pets can get anemia from flea bites, but it is more common in pets. Anemia in pets can cause weight loss, loss of appetite, trouble breathing, vomiting, weakness, lethargy, and rapid heart rate.

Prompt attention is vital when responding to infections, allergies, or diseases from flea bites, but what signs should you be looking for? Seek medical attention for any person bitten by a flea who demonstrates any of the following symptoms:

• If the bite swells, develops pus, or becomes very tender or quite warm, it is likely infected.
• If the person breaks out in hives, develops labored breathing, or becomes frantic with the itching and unable to sleep, they are having an allergic reaction to the bite.
• If the person develops a fever, headaches, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, or flu-like symptoms, they may have contracted a fleas-borne disease.

If your cat or dog is bitten by fleas, any of the following signs indicates that you should see your veterinarian immediately:

• If your pet’s skin becomes inflamed, develops sores, or shows signs of infection like bleeding or pus, it is a likely infection.
• If your pet seems lethargic, unwilling to play, has pale gums, rapid heart rate, facial or jaw swelling, or black stools, they may have anemia.
• If your pet develops fever, sore muscles, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, labored breathing, chills, nose irritation, or fainting, they have the symptoms of a disease from flea bites.

Untreated flea bites can lead to serious long-term health impacts for both people and pets. In people, constant scratching may result in infections like cellulitis, while allergic reactions can cause chronic skin conditions. Flea-borne diseases, though rare, can cause severe complications if left untreated.

For pets, untreated bites can lead to flea allergy dermatitis, anemia due to blood loss, and the transmission of diseases like Bartonellosis and tapeworms, potentially resulting in long-term health problems or even life-threatening conditions.

Preventing Flea Bites and Infestations

The only way to completely avoid the dangers of flea bites is to entirely eliminate fleas from your property, pets, and home. Above, we discussed the many steps required to eliminate fleas on your pet. However, without removing the biters from your home and yard, you’ll just get more flea bites on your pets, and soon, you. Let’s see what you can do to prevent fleas from infesting your home and yard.

Preventing Fleas in Your Home

Preventing fleas in your home largely depends upon keeping them off your pets and your property. However, once a single flea enters your home, you’re likely to get many more. The following care will help keep fleas out of your home:

• Sweep and vacuum frequently and well. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and sofa cushions. Empty the vacuum outdoors so living fleas and viable eggs don’t get back in.
• For serious flea infestations, steam-clean carpets to kill adult fleas and their eggs.
• Wash the bedding, yours and your pet’s, frequently.

Preventing Fleas on Your Property

Avoiding the dangers of flea bites relies most heavily on keeping fleas off your property and away from your pets. The following steps will help keep your property free from biters:

• Mow your grass frequently.
• Avoid over-watering your lawn and landscaping.
• Fix any irrigation leaks and leaky faucets.
• Treat dog houses and dog runs with insecticide for fleas.
• Keep weeds, fallen leaves, and garden litter off your property.
• Keep wildlife away from your property. That’s where fleas come from.
• Do not store food outdoors.
• Keep tight lids on trash cans.
• Regularly schedule professional flea control treatments.

For ongoing protection from fleas, we highly recommend the following products:

• Monthly topical flea treatments for pets
• Flea combs
• Topical flea spray for pets
• Indoor flea sprays containing permethrin or methoprene
• Diatomaceous Earth
• Beneficial Steinernema Carpocapsae nematodes (SC)
• Professional flea control treatments

When to Consult a Professional for Flea Control

Sometimes, environmental flea control is essential to stop potentially harmful flea bites.
The most effective flea control cuts off fleas’ access to your pets, but this isn’t always practical. Some pets are sensitive to flea collars and topical flea treatments. Meanwhile, even once you kill the adult fleas biting your pet, more trouble could be lurking. Eggs and immature fleas in your home and on your property can take months to mature to the blood-sucking stage. Ugh! So, environmental flea control measures become critical.

Professional flea control service providers understand the complex flea life cycle and work to break it. Your service professional comes to your home armed with the tools to kill adult fleas and their eggs. They target all the spots where fleas like to hide, treating your plants, dog runs, kennels, and any place where fleas are prone to shelter. They should also examine your property for vulnerabilities, including breaks in the fencing that allow wildlife to enter, broken irrigation causing damp spots, and other ways you may be attracting or harboring fleas.

Often, the best way to eliminate flea bites on humans and pets is through a comprehensive approach. Topical dog flea bite treatments, together with home hygiene and an environmental flea control like Mosquito Joe®, can help you tame an infestation.

Contact Mosquito Joe for Effective Flea Control

While fleas and the dangers of flea bites are common problems for pets and their parents, you don’t have to fight them alone! Mosquito Joe makes the outdoors fun again for both you and your pets by controlling nasty biters like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks.

Our service professionals arrive promptly, in uniform, and driving a marked van. They have all the equipment and expertise required to effectively keep fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes away from your property. All of our work is backed by the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee and the Neighborly Done Right Promise®, which ensures your satisfaction.

Our barrier treatment sprays are effective at seeking out pests where they hide, live, and breed. We also offer highly effective eco-friendly pest control solutions and specialty pest services. Not only can our home pest control make your yard and garden enjoyable again for you and your pets, but we also provide tips and advice on how to protect you, your family, your pets, and your property from annoying biters.

To get started on your flea-free future, request a free quote today to help make flea bites a thing of the past.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flea Bites

Since 2010, Mosquito Joes has been protecting families like yours and their pets from the dangers of flea bites. As industry leaders devoted to our client’s safety and environmental stewardship, we believe it’s vital that we address common concerns and clear up popular misconceptions. We’re happy to provide evidence-based answers to your questions about flea bites and how to avoid them.

Should I be worried if a flea bites me?

While all flea bites are itchy and annoying, most do not transmit disease. To play it safe, it’s important to remain alert to developing symptoms of allergic reactions or disease. Don’t scratch the bite, which can cause it to become infected. You should definitely seek medical attention if you experience trouble breathing or develop a fever, headache, muscle pain, or flu-like symptoms.

What happens if you leave flea bites untreated?

Although flea bites can transmit disease, most don’t. However, untreated disease-free flea bites can cause significant problems for people and pets. Multiple untreated flea bites can lead to flea allergy dermatitis, which can make us and our pets truly miserable.

Can fleas live on human hair?

While fleas might jump onto your hair, they will soon jump away, since it does not provide the dense cover they need. Most flea species don’t even feed on humans. A flea in your hair will be looking for an animal to provide better feeding and shelter.

Ticks in your yard are more than just a minor convenience. They carry diseases that can impact the health of you, your family, and your pets. One of the most common tick-borne illnesses is Lyme disease, which can cause lifelong health issues. Dogs and humans can develop Lyme from a single tick bite. Lyme is just one of many risks you and your pets take when facing ticks. And even if you don’t come into contact with a tick yourself, they can attach to your dog, enter your home, and transfer to you.

Thankfully, tick control services and other solutions are readily available. Mosquito Joe® offers a range of options to help get rid of and prevent these parasites in your backyard. This can help you and your loved ones get back to enjoying the outdoors.

Understanding Ticks and Their Dangers

Ticks are a type of arachnid, like a scorpion, mite, or spider. They are parasitic and can pass bacteria, viruses, and diseases to warm-blooded hosts that they feed off of. There are many different types of ticks with differing features, risks, and preferred hosts. You can research what types of ticks live in your area to help identify and address them. Ticks are most common in the warmer months and thrive in woody and grassy areas. You may find them when going on a hike or on your dog after playing in long grasses.

Ticks present the following risks:

• Lyme disease: Symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain, and rashes, or lead to heart conditions, joint problems, and other long-term health issues.
• Anaplasmosis: Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and body chills.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Issues with blood vessels, the heart, and kidneys.
• Ehrlichiosis and babesiosis: Symptoms like headaches, muscle aches, chills, and more (in both pets and humans).
• Mild to severe allergic reactions: Swelling, inflammation, welts, or even anaphylaxis.

Ticks must be fully removed from humans and pets when they are discovered. You should always check yourself after going outside in an area where there could be ticks. You should also regularly check your pets after being outdoors. If you discover a bite, seek treatment to help prevent complications.

How To Get Rid of Ticks In Your Yard

Luckily, there are many ways you can help protect yourself and your furry family members from ticks and their diseases and enjoy your yard.

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. This can be a great answer for how to keep ticks out of your yard.

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 remedies pests fear. If you plan to use this around your home, don’t worry. It’s okay to use around 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 gets rid of 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.

Lawn Maintenance

Get rid of areas where ticks thrive by maintaining your lawn throughout the year, especially when it’s humid. Follow these lawn maintenance tips:

• Keep your grass cut short
• Trim your bushes and trees
• Clean up piles of leaves, twigs, and other litter
• Keep firewood stacked in a dry area

You can also create a barrier around your property to deter ticks. Wood chips or gravel can create a hot, dry area they’re less likely to cross.

Tick-Repelling Plants

Planting tick-repelling plants around your property could also help reduce their numbers. Chrysanthemums, lavender, garlic, and rosemary all contain oils that ticks don’t like. They could also help deter other pests, such as mosquitoes.

Chemicals for Ticks

Many successful tick treatments utilize chemicals for a more aggressive way to combat the pests. These chemicals can include:

• 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 get rid of 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 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.

The Best Tick Treatments for Your Yard

For many homeowners, the best way to rid your yard of ticks is a combination of various methods. For example, keeping your grass mowed and your trees trimmed can help deny ticks a home in your backyard. And if they do make their way in, a professional tick control spray can target and get rid of them. Then, you can consider follow-up treatments and eco-friendly deterrents to maintain a tick-free property. Rest assured, you don’t have to handle ticks on your own. We are here to help with our Mosquito Joe services and can answer any questions you may have.

How Mosquito Joe Can Help

Mosquito Joe offers many different types of tick treatments to help you target and get rid of these pests. Our traditional tick spray for your yard will help target and get rid of these biters and requires at least 30 minutes to dry before you and your pets return outside. We also offer an eco-friendly option that utilizes essential oils to combat ticks.

Once you contact us, we will come to your house and complete a thorough pest inspection. We’ll identify problem areas and tick hotspots that would benefit from treatment. Then, we’ll give you a free estimate so you understand the costs associated with our professional tick control solutions. We can help you determine which option is best for your property and lifestyle before applying the original and additional follow-up treatments.

We are dedicated to providing you with quality service. Our work is backed by The Neighborly Done Right Promise® and our own Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. Don’t hesitate—reach out to us today to evict ticks from your outdoor space!

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.

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!

Have you ever seen an intriguing plant-hopping creature with gray and red wings and black spots and wondered what it was and whether it was threatening? You may have come across the spotted lanternfly. These sightings have become increasingly common in the United States, and many people become nervous when they encounter spotted lanternflies, unsure if they bite or pose other risks. Although native to China, they were first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and are now primarily found throughout the Northeast and the central-eastern part of the United States.

If you have detected some negative attitudes surrounding these creatures and have become curious as to why spotted lanternflies are bad, we have answers. Read on to learn more about whether spotted lanternflies do indeed bite and what potential damage they could cause.

What Are Spotted Lanternflies?

Spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) are an invasive species of insect originating in parts of Asia, including China, India, and Vietnam. They are commonly known as planthoppers. They are found on a variety of about 70 different species of woody plants and fruit crops, especially grapes.

Spotted lanternflies go through four stages in their life cycle: the egg, nymph, adult, and resting stages. Eggs are laid in masses that resemble grayish-brown mud or putty. Young nymphs emerge and go through metamorphosis stages before full adulthood. Early-stage nymphs are black with white spots, and they eventually develop red patches as they grow. The egg and nymph stages last about six months, starting in January each year.

Adult spotted lanternflies start emerging in June, are about 1 inch long, and have very distinctive markings. Their forewings are grayish with black spots, while their hindwings are red with black spots and a white band near the tips. When at rest, their wings fold tent-like over their bodies, creating a visually striking display. The adult and resting stages usually start in June and last about six months. The entire lifespan of a spotted lanternfly is about one year.

Are Spotted Lanternflies Dangerous?

When it comes to determining if the spotted lanternfly is dangerous, you may be wondering; do spotted lanternflies bite humans? Fortunately, spotted lanternflies do not bite humans or pets. This information will likely bring much relief the next time their spotted wings come into your view.  So, if they don’t bite humans or pets, why are spotted lanternflies bad? Unfortunately, their presence is cause for concern when it comes to plant life.

While spotted lanternflies do not bite us or our furry friends, they are still a significant nuisance to plants, trees, and crops. Their favorite host is the Tree of Heaven, though they will also eat from grapes, other hardwoods, and fruit trees. They pierce the bark of trees and plants to access the sap. This damages the tree or plant and can cause significant damage to agricultural crops.

Also, although we’ve established that spotted lanternflies are not dangerous to humans, and your pets won’t likely be bitten by spotted lanternflies, they should be kept away from them. Animals may be tempted to eat spotted lanternflies, and more research needs to be done to determine if this could cause serious health issues for your pet.

Why Are Spotted Lanternflies Bad?

Spotted lanternflies can be a nuisance to humans due to their swarming behavior and large populations. Their presence in large numbers can create an unpleasant environment, especially in outdoor recreation areas, gardens, or even your own backyard.

Unfortunately, spotted lanternflies can be transported long distances by people who move infested material or items containing egg masses. This can have a significant impact on agriculture and the environment. Spotted lanternflies love to feast on fruit plants and trees. They especially like grape plants. They feed on these plants and weaken them, which reduces the crop yield. This can result in less fruit available for the public to purchase and higher prices for certain produce.

Let’s learn more about what to do when you find a spotted lanternfly.

What to Do When You Find a Spotted Lanternfly

Since first being spotted in Pennsylvania in 2014, spotted lanternflies have migrated to 13 other states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.

When you find a spotted lanternfly, there are likely many more somewhere nearby. When you discover spotted lanternflies in your area, you want to alert your local agricultural department and take immediate action to eliminate the threat to your plants and trees. Spotted lanternflies in the nymph stage can be sprayed with insecticides if you can catch them. Adults are harder to kill on contact and are best left to the professionals. Your local pest control service will have ways to eliminate this invasive pest.

How to Get Rid of Spotted Lanternflies?

Hiring a professional pest control service is the best defense against spotted lanternflies, especially if you find an infestation. However, there are several things you can do ahead of the arrival of a pest control service to help protect your property from spotted lanternflies. These include the following steps:

1. If your property has trees of heaven, remove them. They are the spotted lanternfly’s favorite food source.
2. Be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly egg masses in the winter towards the end of the year. If you spot one, you can scrape it off the tree into a bag. Add sanitizer, seal the bag, and dispose of it.
3. Spray any nymphs or adults found with an insecticidal soap or apple cider vinegar. Do not spray vinegar directly on plants, as it may damage them.
4. Plant milkweed. Spotted lanternflies are drawn to this plant, but it is poisonous to them and kills them.

Contact Mosquito Joe® for Spotted Lanternflies Control Services

You no longer have to panic about what to do when you find a spotted lanternfly. Mosquito Joe is here to help. Our service professionals are experienced in effectively removing all types of flying, biting, and annoying pests. And with work that is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and our own Mosquito Joe guarantee, you sure to be happy with the results. Request a free quote today or call us at 1-855-275-2563.