Don’t let Mosquitoes ruin your summer fun
Summer in Michigan means a trip to the ballgame, casting a fishing line in your favorite lake or hitting the beach for a day in the sun. Unfortunately, is also means dealing with annoying mosquitoes that want to spoil the fun and draw their next blood meal from you. Read on for some mosquito tips that are sure to save the day, err summer.
What’s the mosquito forecast look like?
A recent report ranked Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo/Battle Creek as the nation’s 12th most mosquito infested city in the United States.
While swatting away mosquitoes is an inconvenience, these flying nuisances can pose serious health threats to both humans and animals. Michigan has more than 50 different species of mosquitoes buzzing around the state and they can spread West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, chikungunya virus, and dog heartworm to name a few.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2014, 47 states and the District of Columbia reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. In those states there were a total of 2,122 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 85 deaths. The most recent data for Michigan (from 2013) showed there were 34 reported cases and 2 deaths linked to West Nile virus that year.
Here’s some of the CDC’s recommended Mosquito Tips
Guarding your family from these annoying and potentially harmful pests starts with some basic personal protection steps including:
• Using insect repellent containing DEET or eucalyptus oil.
• Using citronella candles on the patio.
• Since mosquitoes are not good flyers, installing a ceiling or box fan to literally blow mosquitoes away from your deck or patio.
• Wearing long sleeve shirts and pants.
How can you prevent mosquitoes from becoming a nuisance in the first place? The key is eliminating standing water on your property because water is prime real estate for mosquitoes. Standing water can gather due to over irrigation, broken sprinkler heads, clogged gutters, ornamental ponds, swimming pools, bird baths, trash cans and flower pots.
Adult mosquitoes usually take blood from birds but from unsuspecting humans as well. It is the female mosquito you really have to watch out for as she is active from dusk to dawn in search of a tasty blood meal.
To prevent mosquitoes from invading your backyard this summer Griffin Pest Solutions offers its
Seven Tips To Protect Your Family From Mosquitoes:
1. If possible, drill drainage holes, cover, or invert any container or object that holds standing water that must remain outdoors (i.e. flower planters, sand boxes, etc.). Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or buildings.
2. Clean clogged rain gutters and storm drains. Keep outdoor drains flowing freely and clear of leaves, vegetation, and other debris.
3. Aerate ornamental ponds to avoid letting water stagnate.
4. Change water in birdbaths and fountains at least once per week.
5. Ensure rain and/or irrigation water does not stand in plant containers, trash cans, boats, or other containers.
6. Regularly chlorinate swimming pools and keep pumps and filters operating.
7. Minimize locations when mosquitoes can nest by thinning branches, trimming and pruning ornamental shrubs and bushes, and keeping grass mowed short.
You can find more mosquito tips from the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/ also, the National Pest Management Association has mosquito tips available at http://www.pestworld.org/multimedia-center/pest-tv/educational/mosquito-prevention-around-the-home/
If you have questions or concerns about mosquitoes around your home call or e-mail Griffin Pest Solutions at 888/547-4334 or callcenter@https://www.griffinpest.com/ for more information and a free estimate.
