The threat of West Nile virus is real, and
so are other viruses mosquitoes can carry. The year of 2007 will
be an interesting year in Central Texas. Heavy rains have left
many fields looking like swamps. Calls are already coming in
regarding how to control mosquitoes because of the large numbers
already attacking people.
Beyond mosquito repellent for protecting you and your family, we offer
a long-term control program. For starters, we control adult mosquitoes
on your property. Then, we turn our focus to eliminating existing
mosquito larvae before they become breeding, biting adults.
In short, we offer a dual approach to reducing mosquito populations,
which, in turn, reduces the number that may carry such diseases as West
Nile virus, encephalitis, dengue, malaria, and canine heartworm.
Unfortunately, not all of the mosquitoes you encounter on your property
originate there. This means an ongoing treatment regimen is your best
option for protecting you and your family, so you can continue to enjoy
your outdoor activities.
How do the products you use stop mosquitoes?
Once we kill existing adult mosquitoes, we treat the standing water
(mosquito breeding sites) on your property. The products we use either
kill mosquitoes on contact or prevent mosquito larvae (the immature
offspring that develop in water) from becoming adults. It's the best of
both worlds and the most effective control strategy.
How do you know if mosquitoes are carrying a disease?
It is impossible to tell. All forms of precaution are recommended, such
as store-bought repellents. Professional control methods include two
distinct control agents: adulticides, which kill adult mosquitoes, and
larvicides, which prevent larval mosquitoes from becoming breeding,
biting adults.
Why not just use conventional methods of repelling mosquitoes, like repellent sprays and candles?
By the time you see a mosquito buzzing around, it's already a breeding,
biting threat to you and your family. Using a repellent should still be
considered part of any protection program.
Will treatment totally eliminate the mosquitoes on my property?
Because of the migratory nature of mosquitoes, it is impossible to
prevent one from flying into your yard. However, ongoing treatments
will prevent mosquito infestations from developing on your property and
will reduce the number of mosquitoes you see.
Ideally, treating all the problem areas in your and your neighbor's
yards would be the most effective way to reduce mosquito numbers,
ultimately providing you and your family with protection to enjoy your
outdoor activities. |
How many treatments are required?
Mosquitoes develop, mature and lay eggs in standing water, whenever the
conditions are right, which is most often in the warmer months. Part of
our control program lasts up to 21 days, depending on the amount of
rainfall and standing water that occurs. The important thing is to
monitor the property and apply treatment when necessary.
To be thorough, treatment should began as soon as the temperature gets
above 65 degrees in the northern areas and should continue through
fall. In some southern states, year-round applications is recommended.
Are the Products you use recommended for use around people and pets?
The products we use can be applied around people and pets with
confidence. The larvicide product will not harm pets or birds, as it is
specifically targeted toward mosquitoes. We can provide you with
greater details about the adulticide products upon request.
Does a larvicide harm fish or other aquatic life in ponds and streams?
No. The larvicide used targets only developing mosquitoes and is
not harmful to fish, other aquatic life, surrounding wildlife or the
environment.
Besides ponds and streams, where else to mosquitoes breed?
Tips for Avoiding Mosquito bites:
- Stay indoors during dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are more likely to bite.
- Wear light-colored clothing, plus long-sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection.
- Use a repellent containing DEET on skin and clothing; apply repellent sparingly to exposed skin.
- Protect your dog or at with a product made especially for pets that repel mosquitoes.
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