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Outdoor weddings can be a wonderful experience shared with family, friends, and plenty of natural beauty. But along with that beauty can come a fair number of complications, including unwelcome guests: bugs. No one wants their special day to turn into a flurry of swatting or slapping away bugs. The experts at Mosquito Joe have some advice that can help make your special outdoor event memorable for all the right reasons.

How To Get Rid of Bugs for Outdoor Wedding

While you could end up with any number of party-crashing bugs, there are a few that are more likely to show up at an outdoor wedding. Some of the most common pests include:

• Mosquitoes
• Flies
• Ants
• Yellowjackets

There are several things you can do to make your wedding less attractive to these pesky party crashers. If possible, have your wedding in the spring or fall. Summer is the peak of insect season and a time when many insects are the most active. Make sure there’s no standing water since this can also attract a variety of insects. Keep shrubs and trees neatly trimmed, and be sure to rake up any plant debris that might be a haven for insects

You’ll also want to consider the time of day. Dusk is the worst time to hold an outdoor event because that is when many insects are on the hunt for a meal. If you can, an afternoon or late-morning wedding is ideal. This should help you avoid spending most of the ceremony swatting at mosquitoes.

However, if you prefer to have your wedding in the spring or summer during dusk or early evening hours, then you’ll need to do some pre-planning to keep your guests from becoming a meal. One way to keep you and your guests comfortable is to contact your local Mosquito Joe. They can help keep bugs away and your guests itch-free on your big day.

Also, if all or part of your event takes place on a lawn, make sure it has been mowed to the lowest possible length. This will reduce hiding spots for insects. Here are some other insect repellent alternatives you might want to consider.

Related Topic: Wedding Season = Mosquito Season

What’s the Best Insect Repellent for an Outdoor Wedding?

Insect repellents can be a useful tool for keeping you and your guests comfortable during your special event. Candles, sprays, and other products can prove effective at keeping insects away. So, it is a good idea to have them available, just in case.

• Citronella candles are a good, easy-to-use option for mosquito control at an outdoor wedding. Lit citronella candles or torches arranged around the event space can help keep insects such as mosquitoes away. To create a barrier around the perimeter of your wedding event, consider spacing citronella candles about three feet apart. Although effective, this can be a somewhat unpleasant alternative for you and your guests because citronella candles do give off a very distinct odor.
• Insect repellent spray can also be effective but is not always ideal. Although you can have cans or bottles available, some guests may be reluctant to use them because most leave a residue and have an odor that can linger for some time.
• If you know the site you selected is particularly prone to insects, having the area treated in advance will help discourage pests. As mentioned, treatments like those available from Mosquito Joe are effective for up to 30 days. You can choose a natural barrier treatment that uses garlic or a botanical option derived from natural plant oils to keep pests away from your event.

Outdoor Wedding Mosquito Prevention

Aside from candles, torches, and barrier treatments, there are also some natural options you might want to consider to keep mosquitoes and other pests away from your wedding.

• Essential oils such as citronella and eucalyptus are known for their insect-repellent qualities. Consider placing diffusers in the area, using incense made from these botanicals, or buying lotions or sprays that you and your guests can apply.
• Grow citronella, mint, and marigolds. These plants naturally repel insects, including mosquitoes, and can be grown in containers and placed around your venue.
• Consider a screened pavilion or tent. If none of these options appeal to you, consider renting a screened pavilion or tent for your ceremony. The only drawback is that it might not be easy to find one that’s large enough, and a tent or screened pavilion can detract from the natural beauty of your outdoor event (which defeats the purpose).

Keep Uninvited Pests Away

An outdoor wedding can be a very special, beautiful, and memorable event. However, if insects arrive, it could be memorable for all the wrong reasons. No one wants something as special as their wedding spoiled by insects. If you’re looking for an effective way to keep insects from crashing your wedding, contact your local Mosquito Joe.

Our traditional and natural barrier sprays effectively keep pests away for up to thirty days. If you’re planning an outdoor event, make Mosquito Joe a part of your planning. This way the only guests that show up are the ones you invited. To learn more, or to get started, call us at 1-855-275-2563 or schedule an appointment online today.

As you walk around your property, you may spy little eggs on leaves and in your garden area. There’s a high likelihood you’re seeing insect eggs just waiting to hatch. Understanding some basic insect egg identification can help you know what types of eggs they are and when you should be concerned about their presence.

Keep reading to get a primer on insect egg identification and learn how to prevent an insect breeding ground on your property.

Related Topic: Is an All-Natural Mosquito Treatment Right for You?

Identifying Insect Eggs in the Garden: Common Culprits

There are many different types of insect eggs in the garden, ranging in color from the darker eggs of female stink bugs to white fuzzy patches of eggs from stem borers. This blog will focus on two of the most common: white and yellow insect eggs.

While some white and yellow insect eggs can produce bugs that are relatively harmless, others can lead to insects that create a dangerous situation in your garden or lawn.

White Insect Eggs on Leaves

Some of the most common insects that lay white eggs on leaves near homes and gardens include:

Whiteflies: Adult whiteflies place their tiny white eggs on the undersides of leaves in concentric patterns, from the bottom to the upper portion of a plant. These insects can produce as many as 200 to 400 eggs. Unfortunately, whiteflies can injure and kill plants by sucking the sap from the leaves, causing them to shrivel and drop prematurely. To get rid of whiteflies, vacuum them or use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.

Cutworms: The cutworm’s white eggs show up on grass and weed stems and in the soil surrounding plants. The eggs tend to become darker right before hatching. Cutworms often take shelter in the soil during the day and feed on plants at night. These insects can be a nuisance in the garden. They get their name from their ability to “cut off” a plant seeding by chewing through the stem. To protect your plants from cutworms, control weeds and grass with regular mowing and protect seedlings with collars made from cardboard toilet paper rolls or plastic drinking cups.

Japanese Beetles: The eggs from the Japanese beetle are oval and creamy white. They start at around 1/16″ long but double in size and become rounder before hatching. Japanese beetles are known for chewing up flowers and skeletonizing leaves, making them an enemy of your garden. Applying beneficial nematodes or milky spores can help you get rid of these beetles over time. Faster options to destroy these eggs include spraying them with neem oil or pyrethrin-based insecticide.

Yellow Insect Eggs on Leaf: Common insects that lay yellow eggs on leaves near homes and gardens include:

Aphids: Bright yellow in color, aphid eggs are often found on rose bushes, milkweeds, and other plants. These eggs can make it difficult for monarch butterflies to feed on milkweeds and flourish. Aphid-affected plants show stunted growth and puckered leaves and typically die without proper treatment. Washing plants with a forceful spray of water can dislodge aphids, while organic solutions made of horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, or neem can get rid of the eggs.

Spider Mites: Spider mite eggs begin as translucent and turn a yellowish-cream color before hatching. The adults lay up to 200 eggs on the undersides of leaves. They can infest over 180 species of plants, stunting their growth and potentially killing them. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and landscaping plants are all susceptible to spider mites. Use a plant-safe pesticide to destroy the eggs. You can also wipe the eggs off each leaf or apply a solution of essential oils, including rosemary, spearmint, or coriander, to kill and prevent spider mite egg infestation.

Get Rid of Insect Eggs in Your Garden with Help from Mosquito Joe

Finding eggs that threaten the plants around your home or in your garden can be unsettling. Fortunately, you have options. Your local Mosquito Joe can be your first line of defense against damaging insects. Our pest control services are dedicated to helping you keep your property, lawn, and garden healthy. We can treat your yard with a safe and effective mosquito barrier spray that lasts for up to 30 days. Call 1-855-275-2563 or schedule an appointment online today.

Basements are meant to be extensions of your home. Whether your basement is a home office, home gym, or your own relaxing theater, you deserve to enjoy the space without unwanted company. It’s possible to create a bug-proof basement or reclaim your space from insects. We have a few tips for kicking them out of your basement for good.

Why Do Some Insects Like Basements?

Bugs that love living in basements thrive in spaces that are dark, out of sight, and damp. The dark allows them to avoid predators when they search for food, which is often at night. They hide in crevices, which is why homeowners are less likely to spot signs of pest infestations until it’s too late—especially in unfinished basements. Damp basements are a haven for mold, which is a favorite of many bugs. Humid spaces can also produce more bacteria and soften organic materials that are staples of the insect diet, like dust, dead skin, and hair.

Luckily, you can make your basement less appealing—and less accessible—to insects.

Prevention: How to Keep Bugs Out of the Basement and Crawl Space

• In the middle of the day, turn off the lights in your basement and look around. If you can see any natural daylight coming through walls and other areas, these are the most likely entry points for bugs. Look for signs of cracked seals, gaps, or crevices around windows, doors, or external vents.
• Next, walk the exterior of your home and look for signs of cracks or gaps outside. Pay close attention to laundry exhaust vents and basement windows.
• Indoors and out, fill the gaps you discovered with steel wool or caulk to prevent bugs from using these crevices to enter your home.
• Outdoors, consider rethinking your landscaping to remove plants growing within 2 feet of your home. This can reduce the number of insects frequenting your exterior walls, looking for food, and happening upon a point of entry.

Elimination: How to Get Rid of Bugs in Your Basement

If bugs are already in your basement, it may take a combination of cleaning, house upgrades, and professional pest removal to clear invaders from your home.

• Deep clean. Both as a preventative and removal method, consistent cleaning removes potential food sources like dust, reduces the number of hiding places available to bugs, and increases the odds that you’ll spot a nest.
• Use vinegar water. In a spray bottle, combine a mixture of approximately 3 to 1 water and vinegar. Spray the basement liberally, focusing on potential entry points to prevent bugs from trying to go out or come in.
• Try a dehumidifier. If your basement is damp, it’s far too appealing to insects.
• Contact Mosquito Joe. Working with a professional pest control company can eliminate outdoor populations of basement-loving pests as well as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. We can apply a perimeter treatment around your foundation or complete a barrier spray treatment on your whole yard. Call our experts at 1-855-275-2563 or request a quote today!

Common Basement Bugs

The types of insects found in basements vary by location and climate. Some of the most common basement bugs include:

• Spiders like Brown Recluses
• Pillbugs (also known as rolly-pollies),
• Centipedes (also known as the basement bugs with lots of legs that you’re tired of finding)
• Cockroaches
• Silverfish
• Termites
• Earwigs

Knowing what creatures you’re looking to remove can help you continue your research to get rid of basement insects once and for all.

Enjoy Your Basement Again

By cleaning regularly, addressing infestations immediately, and working with trusted pest control experts like Mosquito Joe, you can reclaim your basement without worry. For more helpful tips on how to deal with common pests, check out our Learning Center. And to make the outdoors fun again, give us a call at 855-275-2563 to request an estimate for services.

While your garage is the perfect space for your vehicle, bikes, and tools, it’s also an ideal shelter for pests looking for protection from the outdoors. If you’re wondering how to keep insects out of your garage, you’ve found the right resource. The best way to keep bugs away is to keep your garage clean and free of temptations such as food, water, and nesting spaces.

How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Garage

Declutter: Keeping your garage organized and clean is the best way to avoid and spot pest infestations. Use plastic storage bins or other weather-tight containers, rather than cardboard, to keep critters and bugs from nesting in your belongings. Make sure you check your items and storage containers for pests before putting them away.

Reduce water and humidity: Most bugs are attracted to water lingering around your garage. Make sure you don’t have any leaky pipes, standing water, or condensation. Get a dehumidifier for your space, if necessary.

Remove food: Cleaning out any loose food removes a major temptation for bugs in the garage. Sweep up crumbs immediately after they’re dropped, tightly tie your garbage bags, and use sealed containers for pet food and birdseed.

Weatherproof: Seal up cracks around your windows, doors, and garage door to prevent pests from making their way into your garage, especially during seasonal transitions when bugs seek a warmer or cooler place to live. You may use silicone caulk, weatherstrips, and rubber seals for this project. The local professionals at Mr. Handyman® can help you weather strip your garage door to not only keep the bugs out but also keep the temperature of your space comfortable all year long.

Contact the professionals: Our Mosquito Joe® professionals can help you find and remove existing pests, as well as identify conditions that may be attracting pests to your space. We offer perimeter pest control services, applying a specialized spray around the garage to keep insects away. Contact a Mosquito Joe near you today to get a quote, or call us at 1-855-275-2563.

Related Topic: Preparing for Winter Pests

Common Garage Pests to Look Out For

Pests in your garage can range from a few buzzing flies to a complete rodent infestation. Some of the most common garage dwelling pests include:

Deer mice: These small rodents are notorious for nesting in boxes and wall gaps during cold months. This can pose a threat to your property, as the mice may also find their way to your vehicle and chew through wires while attempting to find the perfect space.

Spiders: The garage is ideal spider habitat, as other bugs become confined to the space, and spiders feast on them. Keeping your garage free of other pests is the best way to avoid spiders, as their food source is diminished. Frequently sweep along baseboards, doors, and windows to remove spiderwebs.

Flies: These bugs are attracted to strong odors. The best way to avoid a fly infestation is to keep your garage free of pungent smells and food.

Crickets: In warmer and dry months, these loud bugs are often drawn to a cool and shaded garage. Their jumping abilities allow them to make their way to even your highest storage containers.

Silverfish: These small bugs easily make their way under doors and through small cracks. Food temptations and loose clutter will easily attract these pests, as they feed on anything from meat to cloth. Garage insect repellent can help deter these pests.

Sowbugs: Sowbugs are crustaceans more closely related to shrimp and lobsters than to insects. They’re attracted to cool, damp, and wet spaces because they’re unable to retain moisture in their bodies.

Related Content: Mosquito Control—Even in the Winter?

When to Clean Your Garage to Deter Pests

Keeping your garage clean and sealed throughout the year is the best way to keep pests away, no matter the season. However, in colder months, bugs are especially attracted to your garage because they want an escape from the cold. Cleaning your garage in the fall will prevent pests from finding small and hidden spaces to hunker down in throughout the season. It’s also a good idea to clean your garage in the spring as the new year can bring on more pests.

If you live in a cold climate one of the advantages is that when colder weather arrives, many insects disappear. Many of the flying, buzzing, stinging insects that harass us during warm spring and summer days are gone. But this is not true for all insects, there are a few that are still active, even during the colder months of the year.

One is an arthropod. The other is an annelid (a.k.a. segmented worm). Both are excellent at surviving icy conditions, and one even lives inside glacial ice! Here are some cool facts about a few bugs that aren’t bothered by cold weather.

What Is a Snow Flea (aka Snow Bug)?

Snow fleas, also known as snow bugs or springtails, are tiny hexapods (an arthropod subtype) that are particularly active when there’s wet snow on the ground. These creatures are not really fleas at all. They just got that nickname because of their habit of jumping around enthusiastically like kids on a snow day! There are two different species of snow bugs, Hypogastrura nivicola, and Hypogastrura harveyi.

What Do Snow Fleas Look Like?

When you see these small black bugs in the snow, you might mistake them for specks of dirt because they’re so small: only about 2 millimeters long. When you look closer, you’ll see that a snow bug has an oval-shaped body with small antennae and six legs, as pictured in the Farmer’s Almanac. You typically see them in clusters.

Do Snow Fleas Bite?

Not at all. They’re completely harmless to humans, dogs, and other animals. They have two favorite activities: jumping around and eating decaying organic matter in the soil. These little winter wonders help the environment by breaking down organic matter, which helps nourish and replenish the soil faster. So, when spring arrives, you can thank the Snow Flea for that rich, well-nourished soil.

How Could Snow Fleas Make Ice Cream Better?

This might sound crazy, but those tiny black bugs that like to frolic in the snow actually produce a special antifreeze protein that, when replicated by scientists, can benefit humans in many ways. One of the potential benefits is improving the texture of ice cream by preventing those unsavory ice crystals that can develop when you leave them in your freezer for a while.

How to Get Rid of Snow Fleas: Should You Bother?

Since snow fleas are harmless to people, animals, and houses you shouldn’t concern yourself with getting rid of them (if you can find them). However, these bugs do sometimes multiply in large quantities, which might concern some of your neighbors. If so, there are perimeter pest control treatments available that can help keep them controlled.

Related Topic: How to Reduce Bugs in Your Yard after Heavy Rain

What Is an Ice Worm?

The other winter wonder for down under (no, not from Australia) is actually a worm, an ice worm (Mesenchytraeus solifugus). This is an annelid, or segmented worm, that spends its entire life on (and in) glacial ice. It’s only about 6 millimeters long and very thin. The worms thrive on ice due to the antifreeze protein they produce and the insulative properties that snow cover provides. Glacier ice worms have been observed on about 20 different glaciers in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and British Columbia.

What Do Ice Worms Eat?

It would seem logical that ice worms eat ice, but they actually have a varied diet that consists of snow algae, bacteria, various fungi, and other tiny organic matter they find on and in the glaciers. Typically, they feed on the surface of snow rather than within the ice itself. They drink from pools on the ice. And like the snow flea, snow worms are considered beneficial worm that is an important part of natural carbon and nutrient processing within their environment.

Can I Go See Some Ice Worms?

If these little tidbits about the snow flea and snow worm have piqued your interest, by all means, check them out for yourself. Although it’s easier to see and observe snow fleas within your area, if you travel to a glacier that is known to harbor ice worms, you’re bound to see them in large numbers—up to 900 worms per square foot. However, an escapade to see ice worms should happen in the afternoon or early evening, since ice worms like to hide beneath the ice when the sun is out.

Can I Go See Some Ice Worms?

Once the warmer weather returns so will many of the insects that can make the outdoors less fun. When that happens it’s time to call the local pest control experts at Mosquito Joe. We offer natural perimeter pest control services that help protect you and your home from pests. Schedule online or call 1-855-275-2563 for an appointment.