Tag Archives: mosquito joe

Whether we want to think about it or not, winter is on its way.  Although many of our southern Mosquito Joe franchises in states like Texas and Florida will keep battling the bloodsuckers for weeks to come, the rest of us will soon be spending a lot more time indoors.  We already told you about mosquito control in the winter, but when the mosquitoes stop buzzing, other winter pests aren’t far behind – and we want you to be prepared for those as well.

Some bugs and rodents are still very active in the winter, using your home as shelter from the elements.  They can carry potentially dangerous diseases such as salmonella and rabies while also doing damage to walls, wiring, and storage spaces.  Before the cold and snow make house work unbearable, use these tips from the National Pest Management Association to check for and protect yourself against some of a home’s most unwelcome visitors.

Rodents and Raccoons

Rodents can find their way inside your home through holes as small as a dime.  Once inside, they may chew through drywall, electrical wiring, and food containers, causing serious damage and headaches for homeowners.

1. Seal small holes in the wall with caulk and steel wool and larger holes with steel mesh.
2. Keep storage containers and clutter off the floor as rodents use these areas to nest.
3. Eliminate sources of moisture inside and outside the home that may be attractive nesting areas, e.g. puddles, pipes, and duct work.
4. Keep trash cans in a sealed area if possible or use animal-proof lids to prevent tampering.

Ants and Cockroaches

Bugs like these are normally attracted to dark, damp spaces, especially those with human food.  To decrease your chances of a winter infestation, try the following:

1. Clean food preparation and eating areas regularly, wiping up all crumbs and food residue.
2. Keep food in airtight containers.
3. Empty garbage regularly, storing garbage cans away from exterior walls.
4. Store firewood away from exterior walls and up off the ground.

No one wants to spend the holidays repairing damaged wiring or drywall.  Taking precautions now and keeping an eye out for warning signs such as droppings or scurrying sounds, can save you money and plenty of headaches down the road.  And if you’re lucky enough to still be feeling the summertime heat, your mosquito season may be far from over.  Don’t let a little chill fool you into thinking mosquitoes are done for the year.  Check out our blog article on the importance of the last spray of the season, and contact your local Mosquito Joe for more information.

Today is National Joe Day, which in our humble opinion should really be considered a national holiday. In honor of this special day we are celebrating all things Joe, and all our Joes across the country. Because of the amazing growth we’ve experienced over the past couple years, there are a lot of Joes now, working hard to make outside fun again (in 23 states!).

Whether your name is Joe, you’re an aspiring Joe, you know one of our Joes, or you are simply smart enough to rhyme something with Joe, we want you to be celebrating this special day along with us.  Without further ado, here are some fun ways you can celebrate National Joe Day too:

Watch these movies with Joe in the Title. 

1. Joe vs. the Volcano (classic Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan)
2. Joe Dirt
3. G.I. Joe

Listen to these songs with Joe in the title, and sing along!

1. Hey Joe – Jimmy Hendrix
2. Walkaway Joe – Trisha Yearwood
3.  Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex (try not to dance, just try.)

And our three favorite ways to celebrate National Joe Day?

1. Call your local Mosquito Joe and sign up for service.
2.  Email your local Mosquito Joe and sign up for service.
3. Umm, you get it.

Give us a call or shoot us an email for a free quote to make sure you’re on the schedule and on your way to a mosquito-free summer.  We are looking forward to warm weather, sunshine, and getting those MoJo vans back out in your neighborhood, if they aren’t already there. Happy National Joe Day from Mosquito Joe!

Whether we like it or not, we have a few more weeks to wait for the warmer seasons. The official start of spring is 3 weeks away and some parts of the country are still dealing with winter weather and freezing temperatures. Does that mean mosquito control is something that shouldn’t be on our minds yet? Well, not exactly.

Even during winter months and cold temperatures, female mosquitoes are around. They go into a state called diapause.  David Denlinger is an entomologist at Ohio State University in Columbus and he describes diapause as a state where mosquitoes “essentially shut down their development and hunker it out until spring comes.” The mosquito eggs are even more resilient. Mosquito eggs have been known to stand up to many harsh situations and survive through them. While it is very common for female mosquitoes to lay their eggs on or near standing water, they can survive desert situations, freezing temperatures, and other forces of nature such as storms. Keep in mind once a mosquito egg hatches it becomes an adult (adult = biting) in 4-7 days, so this process is a quick one.

How can you avoid a spring hatching of mosquitoes in your yard? Remember, snow melts into water. Make sure your yards are clear of anything that can catch rainwater or melting snow. These can include something as simple as a child’s toy, a shovel laying on the ground, flower pots or a swing. Keep these empty and you can avoid an overabundance of mosquito eggs. And of course, go ahead and get on the schedule for the first spray of the season with your local Mosquito Joe. We’ll make sure you spend your time doing the things you love instead of swatting this spring and summer.

photo credit: NPR