Unfortunately Mosquito Season is Here

AND SO ARE FLEAS

Summer is a time for fun as we get to enjoy our backyards, barbeques, pools and other outdoor entertainment with friends and family. If your anything like my family, we spend more time outdoors in the summer than we do indoors. With hotter temperatures, mosquito populations begin to thrive and so do the risks with vector born illnesses from mosquito bites. This articles is intended to be helpful even though somewhat intuitive on how best to minimize mosquito breeding in and around the home. I have included some of this information in previous articles but probably worth repeating as mosquito breeding begins to ramp up.

Mosquitoes must have water to reproduce even as little as a capful so diligence and persistence is a must. Clear standing water from the premises. Ensure sprinkler systems are working properly and not oversaturating the lawn leaving puddles of water behind until the next watering cycle. Overturn wheelbarrows and used plant containers that hold water. Remove unused tarps, old tires, pool floats and other items that can collect standing water. Ensure gutters and downspouts are free flowing along with ground drainage that is meant to remove water from around the home’s foundation. If ground drains continually hold water then treat with mosquito dunks that can help to eliminate the larvae. This will not reduce the adult population but will help to minimize breeding in these sources. Ensure metal fence posts are capped. These caps can be found at your local hardware store. Fleas also carry disease and seem to be on rise the last couple of months as we heat up. Here are some helpful tips in identifying mosquito bites from flea bites so you know the difference. Why you ask, because sometimes it is helpful to know how best to take back control of your yard. Flea bites are commonly mistaken for mosquito bites. Their symptoms are indeed very similar as they include red rash, itching and swelling. However, there are also some differences and the more you know hopefully the better you are able to identify. The following is for informational purposes only and intended to describe a regular reaction to the insects’ bites not an allergic one or one that is caused by the diseases/ viruses they carry.

The bite spot

Small deep bites with a hole in the center and a red areola around it. Some blisters can also be found.

Where they bite

Who bites

Itching

Other typical symptoms

Insect activity peak

More often fleas bite feet, ankles and shins, less often they attack the upper body. Fleas bite

several times often appearing in clusters

Both males and females bite requiring a blood meal before mating.

The bites are separate, spots can be found all

over the body depending on species.

Only females bite. Males prefer flower nectar. Females require blood to produce eggs.

Intense, typically takes 2-3 days to go away.

Strong pain at the moment of the bite, the insect

can go unnoticed in many cases.

Intense, typically takes 3-4 days to go away.

Scratching worsens the symptoms.

Strong pain at the moment of the bite, the insect

can go unnoticed in some cases.

Starts in May and can go through winter. Only

sustained cold (less than 30 degrees) andlow humidity levels will kill off outdoor eggs, larvae, and adult fleas Activity peaks in the spring and during summer

months. Activity starts to decrease once

temperatures are 50 degrees and below.

Typical attractions

Body warmth, carbon dioxide, and vibrations. Attracted to carbon dioxide, fragrances, floral scents, dark colored clothing, potassium, salt

and lactic acid.

As always, if you need professional help give us a call. Our focus is simple and straight forward and our niche is outdoors. Prevention, education and elimination is our number one priority.

“Make Outside Fun Again” Author Lee Woodham and his wife Hollie Woodham own and operate Mosquito Joe Metro Northwest DFW

MetroNorthwestDFW.MosquitoJoe.com Phone: (972) 584-1641 Email: northwestdfw@mosquitojoe.com