West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the CDC. One in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. One in 150 can develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. To reduce your chances of contracting this or other diseases, use insect repellent, avoid going outside at dusk, and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Mosquito season is in full swing. They breed very quickly in even the smallest amounts of stagnant water. Here’s what you can do to keep mosquitoes from invading your property this summer.
1. Use Screens
To ensure you still get fresh air indoors, but keep away mosquitoes and other bugs, use the screens your doors came with. Fine mesh screens on all your open windows and doors have holes big enough to allow for cross-breezes but are too small for mosquitoes to get through. Already got screens? Check them for seals around the edges; use a patching kit to make any repairs or replace the whole screen.
2. Remove Standing Water
Mosquitoes reproduce in stagnant water – even in something as small as an upturned bottle cap. Empty outdoor water toys and barrels, remove wheelbarrows and other outdoor gear, keep gutters and drain lines clear of debris and get rid of any old bird baths you may have. In just four days, eggs laid in water grow into nymphs. Remove standing water as soon as you notice it.
3. Keep Your Yard Trimmed
Keep your lawn neatly manicured using a lawn mower, trimmer and even chain saw to keep high grass, tree limbs and brush from encroaching onto your property. Mosquitoes like cool spots in the shade, so do your part to minimize any tall grass or limbs that can cast shadows on the yard.
4. Use Fans, Even Outdoors
Porch fans in mosquito-rich areas are a good idea. Not only do they make it more difficult for mosquitoes to fly against the breeze, they also disperse carbon dioxide emitted by humans into the air. This is important because mosquitoes detect it in exhaled air, guiding them straight to you at feeding time.
5. Cover Up and Use Repellent
Despite all the above efforts, mosquitoes are still a threat in the summer. Do your part by wearing insect repellant, and wearing long sleeves and pants (particularly at dusk and night).
Contact Cavanaugh’s Professional Termite and Pest Services
If these tips don’t work, contact a professional pest control company like Cavanaugh’s. Reach us at one of our three NJ locations:
- Flanders: 973-584-2552
- Somerville: 908-730-6565
- Freehold: 800-362-2282
