Tag Archives: biting insects

With the April showers behind us and May flowers starting to bloom, warm weather is finally here! With warmer weather brings more outdoor activities, as well as the possibility of a tick bite. May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Mosquito Joe is joining the fight to protect families and furry friends from this tick-borne illness.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease was first detected in 1976 in Lyme, Connecticut and most commonly occurs in the Northeast, upper Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions. It is estimated that about 300,000 people are diagnosed each year.  Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted.

Signs and Symptoms

Early symptoms of Lyme disease usually begin from 3 to 30 days after being bitten by an infected tick. The most common early stage symptom is a rash where the tick was attached. This rash starts as a small red area that spreads outward to look like a bullseye. One may also experience flu-like symptoms, such as headache, fever, sore and aching muscles and joints, stiff neck, fatigue and swollen glands.

If you experience any of the following symptoms and have had a tick bite, it is important to seek medical attention. Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. Some of these symptoms may include fever, facial paralysis and arthritis.

Treatment

If you develop any of the above symptoms within several weeks of removing a tick, it’s important that you see your healthcare provider. When Lyme disease is diagnosed in the early stages, people usually recover rapidly and completely. In order to be treated, you will be given antibiotics by your healthcare provider, which most commonly are doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil.

However, you can get Lyme disease again if you are bitten by another infected tick, so it is important to protect yourself from tick bites.

Preventing Tick Bites

Although it’s not possible to completely protect yourself from getting a tick bite, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances. Tick activity is higher during the warmer months, but ticks can be out anytime the temperature is about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. With the help from Mosquito Joe, you can get ahead of any tick problems you might have this season, while also implementing the following habits:

• Keep grass short and underbrush thinned at your home.
• Move wood piles away from the home.
• Wear light-colored clothes to help you spot ticks easily.
• Check your body for ticks and shower within two hours of being outdoors.
• Move swing sets, sandboxes and other play areas to avoid tick bites.
• Keep pets out of thickly wooded areas where tick activity is high and talk to your veterinarian about tick control options.
• Let Mosquito Joe be your second line of deference for these intruders by getting a barrier spray that rids your yards for mosquitoes, fleas and ticks.

When you come in from the outdoors, always do a thorough check on yourself, your family and your pets. When doing a tick check, remember that ticks liked places that are warm, so make sure you check the back of your armpits, scalp, back of the neck and behind the ears.

But what if I do get a tick bite?

If you do find a tick on you or your family, there’s no need to panic! The key is to remove the tick as soon as possible. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but fine-tipped tweezers also work great. Follow the below steps on removing a tick:

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this does happen, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to do so, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
4. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html

Don’t be ticked off this summer

Let Mosquito Joe be another line of defense against tick-borne illnesses by applying a barrier treatment to your property. A trained and certified technician will treat your yard with an effective solution that eliminates mosquitoes, ticks and fleas for 21 days. As an alternative to our longer-lasting synthetic treatment, our all-natural solution repels mosquitoes immediately. This less-adhesive yet effective option requires treatment on a 14-day cycle.

If you’re still not sure if Mosquito Joe is right for you, give your local MoJo a call or request a free quote online. We are dedicated to making outside fun again for you and your family and our job is not done until you are happy!

A day in the work life of a pest control technician is a busy one. Mosquito Joe services residential customers as well as commercial properties, but through it all, a technician’s main focus is providing high-quality customer service.

Equipped with the latest and greatest equipment and ongoing support from office staff, our technicians set out to service customers from sun up to sun down, around 5-6 days a week. They are trained mosquito control experts who are truly dedicated to making outside fun again for your family and furry friends.

Morning Cup of Joe

Our technicians arrive to the office around 6am to ensure an early start to their jam-packed day of making outside fun again for customers in their community. Attention to detail is of primary concern in the mosquito control industry, so the first thing Mosquito Joe technicians do before they head out to transform an ordinary yard into an itch-free yard, is check their vehicle to make sure it is fully stocked and the chemicals and tools in their transits are secure.

In efforts to maximize efficiency and time management, technicians follow a tightly gridded area associated with zip codes. Our office managers prepare these “routes” for each transit and conduct a quick huddle to run through the details of the day. Each transit will have 2 technicians, a designated driver and a fully charged tablet and GPS.

“From the office team to the techs that come out to spray, customer service and customer satisfaction combined with GREAT RESULTS and always going the extra mile for clients makes Mosquito Joe of South Miami one of the best companies my wife and I have ever experienced. The spraying reminders, billing process and inquiries are handled with professionalism and expertise, we have referred a few of our friends and neighbors to the service and everyone agrees with us: It’s the best investment in making the outside fun again!”

-Jorge A

Mosquito Joe Transit Arrives

Our technicians will check to see if the customer is home and whether or not the yard is accessible, with all pets indoors. Although we don’t require you to be home when our technicians arrive, we do recommend slight initial interaction for your first spray in order to appropriately assess your yard and identify any problem areas you may or may not be aware of. We pride ourselves off of impeccable customer service and would love to meet you, guide you through the process, answer questions and address any problem areas with you. Next, we’ll canvas the property looking for active larvae populations and potential breeding grounds, and recommend ways to eliminate standing water in your yard.

“Friendly and professional staff. I have used Mosquito Joe for three years and have been able to enjoy my backyard again.”

-K.N.

Busy during the work week? No problem! We’ll leave behind a post-service door hanger at the end of service for you to review upon your return.

What’s the Science Behind an Itch-Free Yard?

Our trained technician will treat your yard with an effective barrier spray that eliminates biters for 21 days. Using a backpack sprayer designed for precise application, your technician targets shrubs and plants with a barrier spray that kills mosquitoes, ticks and fleas on contact and bonds to foliage, where it acts as a mosquito repellent for weeks to come. Wait a short 30 minutes before allowing your children and pets back outside to play!

Sensitive when it comes to your vegetation, ponds and flowerbeds? We’ve got you covered with our all-natural mosquito control treatment. As an alternative to our longer-lasting synthetic treatment, Mosquito Joe offers an all-natural mosquito pest control solution. Also administered through a barrier spray program, our all-natural solution repels mosquitoes immediately, but has less adhesive properties than our synthetic spray. Because of this, the all-natural solution will act as a repellent to deter new mosquitoes for a shorter time period and requires spraying on a 14-day cycle to ensure adequate protection.

“It actually works!! I was skeptical at first. The mosquitoes are so bad here, but not since we’ve had this service. My neighbors also signed up because they noticed that we had no mosquitoes.”

-Lisa R.

That’s a Wrap!

Being a Mosquito Joe technician can be a challenging job, working in harsh conditions with heavy equipment, but it’s very rewarding. Mosquito, tick and flea control is a necessary service and identifying and solving the unique problem areas in each individual yard can graciously improve our customers’ quality of life. Having the ability to give you and your family your yard back is an incredible feeling, and our technicians show up each and every day to do just that.

“Mosquito Joe delivered exactly what they promised. My family and I can actually enjoy our yard and pool area comfortably.”

-Emanuel L.

Is your outside keeping you inside? Contact your local Mosquito Joe today to schedule service for the 2019 season!

“For 8 years we have been battling the mosquito. We have stayed in many beautiful evenings because of the pests. For the first time this year, after one application by Mosquito Joe, we have enjoyed every night this summer sitting on our deck. What a great service!”

Dave F.

The days of warmer weather and blooming flowers are right around the corner…and so are mosquitoes, ticks and fleas.  As the temperature begins to rise, pest activity will too. Did you know that mosquitoes, ticks and fleas become active once the temperature reaches and stays above 50 degrees consistently? Spring into action by making sure you are prepared to enjoy your outdoor space as soon as possible!

Being able to sit outside and enjoy your outdoor space, instead of swatting at those pesky mosquitoes, is one of the great reasons to give your local Mosquito Joe a call.  Another exciting reason is the opportunity to pre-pay for the entire season!

What are the benefits of pre-paying?

• Save 10% on mosquito, tick and flea control so your family can enjoy being outside again.
• You can relax during the summer months without worrying about ongoing pest control payments.
• Enjoy an itch-free yard all summer long. A night on your back porch without any mosquito bites? Yes, please!
• Get the kids (and pets) outside – who needs a babysitter with an itch-free yard?

To take advantage of this great offer, request a quote to the right or give us a call at 855-ASK-A-JOE!

New here? No problem! We offer a wide range of services that will keep you protected all season long. Our barrier treatment protects you and your family from mosquitoes, ticks and fleas for 21 days after application. Using a backpack sprayer designed for precise application, an expertly trained and licensed technician targets shrubs and bushes with a barrier spray that outdoor pests on contact. The solution bonds to foliage, where it acts as a repellent for weeks to come. Within 30 minutes of treatment, your yard is ready for family and pets to come out and play!

As an alternative to our longer-lasting synthetic treatment, Mosquito Joe offers an all-natural pest control solution.  Our all-natural solution repels mosquitoes, ticks and fleas immediately but has less adhesive properties than our synthetic treatment.  Because of this, we require spraying on a 14-day cycle to ensure adequate protection.

Our technicians are trained pest control experts dedicated to one thing: getting rid of mosquitoes, ticks and fleas so you can enjoy being outside again.  We do not require customers to sign contracts, which gives you the flexibility you need to fully enjoy your outdoor space.

And if you’re a returning customer, we’re glad to have you back! Thank you for an amazing 2018 and letting us make outside fun again for you and your family. If you have any questions about the pre-pay program, just give us a call and we’d be happy to get you on the path to an itch-free 2019!

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Want even more MoJo? Refer a friend and get a $25 credit! Our Share the MoJo program allows you to refer up to 20 friends a year, which could get you $500 in account credits. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and text, call or post on their Facebook and share this one-of-a-kind deal.  Visit our dedicated website, SharetheMoJo.com, so you and your friends can start saving today!

At Mosquito Joe, we take our job of keeping your yard itch-free seriously.  With our licensed technicians and a passion for making outside fun again, our job is not done until you and your family are happy. Save yourself some bucks and a lot of bug bites, give us a call today to kick-start your spring with pre-pay!

 

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States. There are over 30,000 cases of the tick-borne illness reported each year. Among those are celebrities we frequently see on TV or on magazine covers; others are sports icons and some are Grammy award winners.

Justin Bieber 

Pop sensation, Justin Bieber, announced his battle with Lyme disease in January 2020. “It’s been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever,” Bieber said. The singer plans to use his voice to create content on YouTube about the chronic illness.

Members of the Hadid Family

Yolanda Hadid, of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame, has been vocal about her battle with Lyme disease. Yolanda has published a book chronicling her experience living with the illness entitled “Believe Me: My Battle with the Invisible Disability of Lyme Disease.” Recently, the former model admitted after nearly a year of remission, her symptoms have returned. At the Global Lyme Alliance, Yolanda said she realizes “the higher purpose of [her] journey is to continue to bring awareness to this awful disease until the change is made.” Her children, Bella and Anwar Hadid, also have the chronic illness.

Shania Twain

The country singer opened up about her struggle with Lyme disease in July 2018, stating she suffered from dysphonia which affected her vocal cords. The disease kept her from touring and even singing. “I never thought I would sing again,” Twain said. Thanks to physical therapy and vocal training, Twain has released a new album and resumed touring.

Alec Baldwin

Nearly 18 years ago, the actor was bitten by an infected tick. The result was numerous bouts of severe Lyme disease symptoms. Because of his struggle, Baldwin is vigilant in checking his children for ticks after they’ve been outdoors. “I want my kids to grow up riding horses and bikes and enjoying themselves every day and not have to spend every day with us going over them with a magnifying glass to make sure they don’t have any ticks on their body or their dogs, but that is part of the lifestyle of where I live,” he said.

Avril Lavigne

In a letter to fans, Lavigne revealed she had been fighting Lyme disease. The singer started The Avril Lavigne Foundation in 2010 to support causes such as Race to Erase MS, Special Olympics, and UNICEF, in addition to Lyme disease. In October 2018, Lavigne joined the Board of Directors for the Global Lyme Alliance. Her most recent album, “Head Above Water,” addresses her battle with the chronic disease. “This is me and my fight. This album tells my story,” Lavigne said.

Kris Kristofferson

Kristofferson’s doctors originally told him his deteriorating memory was due to Alzheimer’s disease. After many years of strenuous testing, it was clear the singer had been misdiagnosed; after a positive test for Lyme disease, his symptoms were correctly identified. With the proper treatment, Kristofferson’s condition improved. A friend said of the iconic artist, “Kris is as sharp as he’s been in the past 20 years because of his treatments.”

Tom Seaver

In 1991, the former New York Mets pitcher was diagnosed with Lyme disease. At the time, “Tom Terrific” lived in Greenwich, CT and spent the majority of his time outdoors, which is how he contracted the illness. The Baseball Hall of Fame member described the disease’s symptoms as “the worst case of the flu every day.”

Prevention is the Best Medicine

The symptoms of those suffering from Lyme disease are different but the cause of the illness is the same: infected ticks. These celebrities give visibility to Lyme disease and advocate for treatment and a cure.

While it’s important to be mindful of ticks when camping and hiking, they can also be found in parks, walking trails, and even our own backyards. Tick prevention can start at home by eliminating places where ticks like to hide. Keep your yard mowed and trees trimmed. If you are in an area where ticks are active, make sure to wear long sleeves and pants and apply a tick repellent with DEET or Permethrin.

Mosquito Joe knows what a pest ticks can be, that’s why we offer tick control as one of our signature services. We target bushes and shrubbery, which helps keep ticks out of your yard and creates a barrier around your property, protecting you against the risk of tick-borne illnesses. Call us today at  or request a free quote on our website.

To learn more about Lyme Disease or other illnesses that are caused by outdoor pests, visit our learning center.

 

Although the weather is warm and the sun is shining, fall is just around the corner. Summer months coming to an end does not necessarily mean we’re saying goodbye to warmer temperatures, or those mosquitoes, just yet. Canceling your mosquito control service might be on the top of your to-do list since cooler months are ahead and kids are back in school, but don’t let dropping temperatures trick you into ending your mosquito control service early! It’s important to continue with your barrier spray treatments so you can maintain a protected outdoor area for you and your family. After all, the air will be cooler and the humidity will subside; making it the perfect time of year to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine or watch the kids play in the backyard after school. We wanted to share some information around the importance of completing the full season of barrier spray treatments before you consider canceling service.

If fall is quickly approaching, why continue service?

The last few sprays are some of the most important for a couple of reasons. Mosquitoes can be tricky creatures. They lay eggs, hibernate, and can survive some pretty frigid temperatures. The only things necessary in order for eggs to hatch are water and temperatures consistently above 50 degrees. This means mosquitoes may be continually living and breeding in your yard all year long. If you end your season early, female mosquitoes will have a chance to not only make your yard a home, but also to lay more eggs before the first freeze. Up to 300 eggs at a time to be exact! It is absolutely vital that our technicians get rid of those mosquitoes and mosquito larvae, by treating unavoidable areas of standing water which will keep your yard winterized. This will also keep ticks and fleas at bay.

It’s important to continue your barrier spray treatment as long as possible so you can continue to enjoy your yard as long as possible and ensure an itch-free start to 2019. If you have any questions about your season, contact your local Mosquito Joe, and they’ll be happy to explain the process to you.

Fall sports or events coming up? We’ve got you covered.

We offer commercial and special event sprays which could be great for fall sports and events. If your kiddos play football or soccer and you’d like an itch-free playing field, don’t hesitate to give us a call this fall! Because let’s face it, there is nothing worse than trying to cheer on your kids and enjoy a good game of ball while swatting away those pesky mosquitoes. We’d love to continue to partner with local sports leagues in our communities and ensure everyone’s eye is on the ball, not their ankles. Have an outside wedding or birthday party on the horizon? We can help keep mosquitoes off of your guest list so you can enjoy that special time together with family and friends. Call your local Mosquito Joe for more details!

Don’t let those mosquitoes trick you into ending service early or overlooking any commercials or special event sprays that may be necessary. You’ll thank us later!