Tag Archives: biting insects

Last week in California, public officials warned that the drought that has 93% of the state in “severe drought” status could cause higher cases of West Nile in the state this year. That may sound odd since mosquitoes depend on water to breed and thrive, but it’s actually birds that could contribute to the increase of the virus this year. That comes on the heels of preliminary numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January that showed California was still the leader (and by quite a bit) of West Nile cases with 538.

In parts of Southern California, mosquitoes haven’t gone into hibernation. The state has been stuck in a persistent drought, which has tricked mosquitoes into thinking it’s still summer and there’s been no rain fall to flush them out of storm drains, so you’ve got a lot of mosquitoes.  Since they’re breeding at high rates, the trap counts are showing mosquito counts at where they would typically be in June or July.

An estimated 70 to 80 percent of people who contract the West Nile virus show no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About one in five people who are infected will develop a rash, plus other symptoms like headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting or rash. Less than 1 percent of people infected with the virus will develop a serious neurologic illness, like encephalitis or meningitis, according to the CDC.

If you’re in California, there are some easy precautions you can start taking to make sure you lessen the risk of mosquitoes breeding in your yard.

• Mosquitos breed in standing water so regularly empty ponds, bird baths, fountains, plant pots, buckets, barrels, tarps, kid toys, pet water dishes or anywhere else that water may gather.
• Clean out gutters and examine them for damage that would cause water to collect.
• Drill holes in tire swings, trash cans or recycle bins so water drains out.
• Keep swimming pools clean, properly circulated and filtered. Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren’t being used.
• Cut grass and shrubs short, as adult mosquitoes gather to rest in shady, cool areas. Keep your yard weed-free and avoid overgrown vegetation.

And if you’re interested in the Mosquito Joe opportunity, we’d love to hear from you. You could be the neighborhood hero keeping Californians enjoying that perfect weather and staying safe and itch free.

Yesterday morning in Virginia Beach we woke up to frigid temperatures and a lot of snow and ice. I then looked at the forecast and saw we’re still getting some record low temps over the next week. The same goes for many parts of the United States as we dig our way out of snow! So what does all this snow and cold weather mean for the 2015 mosquito forecast?

Mosquitoes are very resilient. Their eggs (and some adults when sufficiently protected) can survive through freezing temperatures. All this cold weather will only postpone the influx of mosquitoes and could actually increase the number come spring. Mosquitoes are generally active when the temperature stays above 55 degrees, so you probably won’t notice a lot of activity from mosquitoes until the overnight freezes (or snow storms!) become less common. This may occur later in the season than it normally does but when it does happen, it could make for an especially tough mosquito season. That’s because the one thing mosquitoes need to breed is standing water. So far, this year has had a lot of precipitation with rain and snowfall. The rain, along with melting snow and ice will result in a lot of standing water, which could mean a lot of mosquitoes. Not only is standing water necessary for mosquito production, but it’s also their lifeline once they are mature. Mosquitoes don’t venture far from the area where they matured, so if you take care of the standing water on your property, you are instantly decreasing your mosquito population.

Depending on where you live, you may not be thinking about warm weather, mosquitoes or how to treat them if you’re shoveling snow out of your driveway, but don’t let your guard down. Remove all standing water once that snow starts to melt! And a lot of Mosquito Joe locations have specials going on for the beginning of the season, so give them a call to make sure your yard doesn’t have an influx of mosquitoes come spring. Our barrier treatment is the ultimate step in avoiding the bites this season. Stay warm!

The first day of August is here! I can’t believe this summer is flying by as quickly as it is. Last week I took my dog in for her annual checkup at the vet, and I noticed a big poster on the wall about the dangers of leaving your pet in the car during the months that are hot. As we make our way into one of the hottest months of the year, it got me thinking about other things in the summer that can be harmful (and irritating) to our pets.

When the temperature goes up, the insects come out. That’s not new news, but the amount of fleas and ticks that summer brings could be. The ideal temperature for these pet problems are between 70-90 degrees. That’s generally a typical summer day for most parts of the country. Fleas and ticks also require high humidity level around 70% which increases the chance for large amounts of the insects in areas like the Southeast of the US.

Ticks find their hosts by detecting animals´ breath and body odors, or by sensing body heat and moisture, all of which are upped during the summer months and fleas, well…they’ll jump to find you. You get the picture. Hot = fleas and ticks. To make sure your pet is safe this summer here are some tips to keep them cool, hydrated, and and itch free this summer.

• If dogs or cats must be outside, make sure they have an adequate supply of water.
• If they are tied to a unmovable object, make sure shade is in their reach.
• Never leave your dog alone in the car (even with the windows down) during the summer months. 
• Make sure you have your cats and dogs on a flea and tick prevention program year round.
• Mosquito Joe barrier treatments help protect against fleas and ticks and set up a perimeter around your yard, keeping them out.

We love seeing pictures of our customers (two legged or four legged) so if you have plans that involve getting out in your yard with your pet this weekend, we’d love to see pictures. Send them to marketing@mosquitojoe.com and you may be featured on our Facebook page or in a future blog post! We hope you enjoy your weekend!

We all know what today is. It is a glorious day where pranks are allowed, encouraged, and that some of us fall victim to. It is April Fools Day. I can remember in high school thinking it was hilarious to call my parents (who had graciously added me to their insurance policy) to tell them I had just received my third speeding ticket. That April Fools Day joke was a huge fail, and thankfully my need for speed has slowed with age. Probably because I pay my own insurance now!

One thing that we don’t joke about around Mosquito Joe is the health issues that come along with mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. Normally we’re discussing ways to keep you humans safe, but what you might not know is that we’re looking out for your four legged friends too. Did you know mosquitoes, fleas and ticks can cause all of the following in dogs and cats?

• Allergies
• Tapeworms
• Heartworm
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Skin Infections
• Lyme
• Tick paralysis
• Ehrlichia

Mosquito Joe offers you the best offense to these diseases, and that’s a good defense. Protecting your yard with our barrier sprays eliminates fleas and ticks keeping your pets safe and healthy. Spring time should be a time of fetch, chase, and wiggles in the grass, so make sure you contact your local Mosquito Joe and get on the schedule. If not for you, do it for your pets! Outside can be fun again for them, too. And that’s no joke.

In 1897 author David Flanery described an insect by saying it was “the shyest, sliest  meanest, and most venomous of all.” Unfortunately, he was not talking about something out of a horror film, he was describing a mosquito! Mega-mosquito, that is. The “gallinipper” is a floodwater mosquito with a body about half an inch long, making it twenty times larger than the average mosquito, and while the bite doesn’t actually contain venom, it is said to be very painful. While this type of mosquito is nothing new, they’ve made a lot of headlines lately as Florida could be set for an overabundance of the unwelcome insect this season.

University of Florida entomologist Phil Kaufman says in 2012 the state had a surge of the huge, biting insects and there is concern of a repeat. “I wouldn’t be surprised, given the numbers we saw last year,” said Kaufman, an associate professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “When we hit the rainy cycle we may see that again.”

The female lays eggs in soil at the edges of ponds, streams and other water bodies that overflow when heavy rains come. The big problem with the gallinipper is their eggs can remain dry and dormant for years. All the eggs need to hatch is high waters to come along, like Tropical Storm Debby last year that brought on the surge of gallinippers. With those females having laid eggs, all it would take is one good rain for those dormant eggs to hatch. Even in their larval stage, gallinippers are so tough they’ll eat tadpoles!

The good news? These mosquitoes are not known to transmit any diseases so while they’re a nuisance, they’re not as dangerous as some other mosquitoes. The bad news? Kaufman stated that due to their size, these mosquitoes may be immune to insect repellents that contain the well-known ingredient DEET, meaning Florida residents will need to find an alternative to many of the off-the-shelf mosquito repellent products if they want to avoid a run in with these pesky fliers.

Will these mega mosquitoes become an issue in other parts of the U.S.? That may be the question in a lot of people’s minds as the press about gallinippers continues. Fortunately for communities with Mosquito Joe, the product used in our mosquito treatments IS effective on the gallinipper as well as your every day mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. We’re not in Florida yet but we’re planning to be there soon.

If Mosquito Joe is not in your area, why not become your community’s solution (and hero!) by opening your own Mosquito Joe business? We currently have franchise opportunities available across the U.S. Contact us for more information.

Source: https://news.ufl.edu/2013/03/04/big-skeeter/
(UF/IFAS photo by Marisol Amador )