Mosquito season in East Tennessee lasts from early March through late October, with eggs able to hatch in temperatures of 50 degrees or above. Anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors knows that the buzz of swarming mosquitos often plagues Summer! Protecting yourself and your family is important as mosquito bites can carry blood-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus, Zike, Dengue, and Malaria. Even if you are bitten by a mosquito that isn't carrying a disease, a large number of the population is allergic to their saliva, causing bites to be unbearably itchy! Professional pest control in Knoxville can help you rid your home of mosquitos, but there are also some steps you can take to deter them and protect yourself from bites.

Eliminate Standing Water in Your Yard

One of the first steps to take if you want to deter mosquitos is to get rid of standing water. Mosquitos love humidity, and they lay eggs in stagnant water. Even a quarter inch of water is enough for females to lay eggs in. Things like bird baths, ponds, and paddling pools are hot spots, but don't discount other areas such as clogged gutters, trash can lids, kids' toys, and open containers, which could be collecting water! When you book an appointment with pest control in Knoxville, standing water is one of the first things they will look for during their initial assessment. Here are a few tips to help eliminate standing water and reduce the opportunity for mosquitos to lay their eggs:

• Empty bird baths weekly and refill them with fresh water
• Put away any open containers that are lying around collecting water
• Cover hot tubs and kiddie pools when they are not in use
• If your yard is prone to puddles, try leveling off problem areas
• Keep your gutters clear to avoid stagnant water collecting
• Add a bubbler or water mover to your pond
• Remove treestumps so they won't collect water

Choose Mosquito Repelling Plants For Your Garden

While it is not a substitute for professional pest control in Knoxville you can help deter mosquitos by planting bug-repellant plants around your garden. Marigolds, Rosemary, and Citronella will not only add a pop of color to your yard, but they will also deter mosquitos and other pests who do not like the smell!

Keep Up With Mowing Your Yard

Did you know that as your grass grows, so will the local mosquito population? Tall grass helps mosquitos to seek shelter from the sun and wind. It is important to mow your yard regularly to keep it short and thus less appealing to pests. Mosquitos will also use yard debris as shelter, including piles of grass clippings, so make sure you dispose of them immediately. The same goes for leaves, twigs, and plant trimmings. The fewer places mosquitos have to hide, the less likely they will set up a colony in your yard!

Preventing Mosquito Bites

Aside from deterring mosquitos from laying eggs and swarming in your yard, it is important to protect yourself against mosquito bites. This applies not only in your own yard but also when you are in parks or woodland areas. The easiest way to prevent mosquito bites is to follow the four Ds!

• Drain - As we have already discussed, mosquitos breed in stagnant water, so the first of the four Ds is to drain standing water away!
• Dress - When you are outdoors, you can prevent mosquito bites by wearing lightweight long-sleeved shirts and long pants. However, mosquitos can bite through the fabric, so you will also want to use insect repellent on top of the clothing.
• Deet - That brings us to D number three—Deet! Whenever you are outdoors, you will want to use an insect repellent that contains deet. It should be applied sparingly to exposed skin, but as noted above, you can spray it on your clothing. Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are also very effective against mosquitos.
• Dawn/Dusk - Wherever possible, avoid spending time outdoors at dawn or dusk, as these are the times when mosquitos are at their most active and will be feeding.

Treating Mosquitos With Pest Control in Knoxville

At Otis Pest Control, we take a multifaceted approach to mosquito control. We have found that the most effective pest control method in Knoxville for these particular pests is to combine source reduction, chemical control, and biological control. We will conduct a pre-assessment during which we will identify problem areas around your yard, such as standing water and overgrown bushes. We will make recommendations to remove these prior to or soon after treatment. We will then apply EPA-approved pesticides to kill current mosquito infestations and protect against future infestations. We will then make a recommendation for regular pest control in Knoxville to follow up on the initial treatment and keep your home protected.

Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.