With warm temps earlier this spring, followed by all the rain we have had in North Texas, I've been telling our customers to brace themselves for a very interesting mosquito season.  We've been getting a lot of calls the past few weeks about mosquito control from our customers who want to enjoy their yards without fear of being eaten alive by mosquitoes. 

The best thing in my professional opinion is using a product with something called pyrethrin which is a natural insecticide produced from dried chrysanthemum blooms.   Pyrethrins works by penetrating the nervous system of insects (think fleas, ticks, ants and mosquitoes,) while not harming good butterflies, your pets, or children.  Small doses of pyrethrin are very effective against many insects and, because nervous systems differ, I want to stress that it is completely safe when used around people and pets (pyrethrin is often used in pet shampoos to kill fleas and ticks.)  In fact, pyrethrins control a broad range of insects, which is why you'll see it as the active ingredient for many of the products you might be using to control fire ants and crickets.

Applying a light spray in shady areas where mosquitoes land, such as in bushes, mulch or under decks can greatly reduce their population.  The residual will typically last a month or so, killing insects that pass through it or land on it.

While finding pyrethrin products in the hardware store is easy, finding the time to apply it is tough, which is why many of our customers rely on the the Mosquito Assassin Program which uses pyrethrin.  If you are interested in more information we'd be happy to give you a free estimate on what it would cost for your home. Our program is safe, yet effective.  Better yet it kills up to 90% of your mosquitoes and keeps killing them for a month after we leave (which is great if your neighbor isn't doing their part.)  It only takes a five-visit program to keep them gone all season long.

If you want to do-it-yourself below are some tips on how you can protect your yard, and the community at large from mosquitoes and the threat of West Nile Virus.

• Get rid of any standing water on your property. Check your gutters, drains and flowerpots.  Anywhere water stands is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Drain it!
• Use insect repellent when you are going to be outside (especially true from dusk until dawn when mosquitoes are most active.)  Repellents that include DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus are the most effective.
• Wear light, long sleeve shirts and pants when you are going to be outside for an extended amount of time (especially from dusk until dawn.)  Mosquitoes are drawn to heat and carbon dioxide (which is why it is important to wear lighter clothing so your heat signature isn't too great.)
• Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows (and they are in good repair) to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.
• If there are any green-water pools nearby, report them to the local health department.

For more information on mosquito control activity in your city visit our Village Green Resource Center where you will always find helpful links that we have compiled to benefit our customers.    

 

It is important for everyone to do their part, because mosquito control truly is a community effort.  If you have questions please give us a call at 972-495-6990 or email me at [email protected].  We'd be happy to answer your questions if you want to do it yourself.