Pest & Termite Control Blog

Residents in Florida Are Using Fish To Combat Mosquitoes

Mosquito season has officially arrived, and citizens of the United States are determined to avoid a repeat of 2016 when Zika dominated the headlines. If there is one positive thing that has come out of the Zika outbreaks, it may be the increased awareness among the American public concerning mosquito-borne diseases. Many more people than usual are planning on using anti-mosquito products regularly this summer in order to protect against diseases like the Zika virus and the West Nile virus. Some regions in the US have even experimented with issuing free mosquito-repelling products to the public. Offering free mosquito repellent to members of the public may help spread awareness about how to prevent mosquito bites. In one Florida city officials are not handing out free cans of mosquito repellent; instead they are handing out free fish. This may sound crazy, but the free fish specimens that are being offered to members of the public have been used to eradicate developing mosquito larvae, and the fish have proven useful in the effort to reduce mosquito population sizes.

In Hillsborough County, Florida government officials are issuing small fish specimens to residents. These fish specimens are well known for eating mosquitoes and their larvae within small bodies of water. The idea is to have residents place the fish into small containers of standing water, like a bird bath, so that the fish can eat visiting mosquitoes and the larvae they leave behind.

By now most people know that mosquitoes are attracted to areas of standing water. These areas of standing water can be as small as a bottle cap containing rain water, or as large as a swimming pool. Typically, residents are urged to get rid of any signs of standing water within their yards, but now residents will be using these areas against mosquitoes. Luckily, the fish do not require any form of care; simply place them in an area of standing water and wait for the mosquito population to decrease.

Do you think that more state and/or local governments should experiment with novel mosquito control methods like the one described above?

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As new cases of Zika continue to pop up across the United States, it’s more essential than ever to take proper precautions to avoid contact with biting mosquito populations. Mosquitoes are vector pests and can transmit other harmful diseases such as West Nile virus and Chikungunya, in addition to Zika. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and Certified Termite & Pest Control are urging the public to take extra precautions when spending time outdoors and when getting their homes and property in shape for Fall.

To prevent the health risks that can potentially accompany an already-pesky mosquito bite, be sure to follow these mosquito prevention tips:

• When spending time outdoors, apply an insect repellant containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon-eucalyptus, and reapply as directed on the label. People who are spending long amounts of time outdoors should also consider wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes to limit exposure to mosquitoes. The main type of mosquito that carries Zika is a daytime biter, so taking preventive measures at all times of the day is crucial.
• Anyone traveling outside of the United States should be aware of travel advisories currently in effect. Pack plenty of insect repellant and protective clothing. If a person falls ill upon returning home, seek prompt medical attention.
• Mosquitoes need only about a half an inch of water to breed, so homeowners should eliminate areas of standing water such as flowerpots, birdbaths, baby pools, grill covers and other objects where water collects.
• Even children’s toys like buckets and sandboxes can collect water and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes right in the backyard, so be sure to keep these objects water-free.
• Screen all windows and doors, and patch up even the smallest tear or hole on screens.
• If there are concerns about mosquito activity on the property, contact a licensed pest control company or the local mosquito abatement district.

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Knowledge of Mosquito-borne Diseases Should be Top of Mind in Summer

Many people may connect the height of mosquito season, occurring in the summer through early fall, to the irksomely itchy welts that accompany mosquito bites. But, there are far worse associations to make with these blood-sucking pests, such as the health threats they pose to humans in their daily lives—even in their own backyards. To help protect the community against mosquito-related health risks, Certified Termite and Pest Control is reminding the public about threatening mosquito-borne diseases as well as prevention tips to avoid bites.

Thanks to professional pest control there are certain serious, and sometimes even deadly, mosquito-transmitted illnesses, such as malaria, that we rarely see in the U.S. But, the public should remember that there are still harmful diseases including the Zika, West Nile and chikungunya viruses present in the U.S. that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoe. In order to protect against these health threats, knowledge about each disease and general mosquito prevention is key.

The main ways to avoid mosquito bites and better protect against mosquito-transmitted diseases include:

• Applying insect repellant containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon-eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors and use as directed on the product label. Apply repellant over top of sunscreen, and reapply every four to six hours.
• Minimizing outside activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, though it is important to note that mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya are active throughout the day.
• Wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes when outdoors.
• Eliminating areas of standing water around the home including clogged gutters, birdbaths, flower pots, tires and kiddie pools or untreated pools. Mosquitoes need only half an inch of water to breed.
• Screening windows and doors, and patching torn screens.

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Mosquito and tick populations are on the rise again as the country transitions to the summer season. While these pests are certainly nuisances, they can also transmit harmful diseases like Zika virus, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and more, which is why Certified Termite & Pest Control is helping to advocate for increased awareness of mosquito and tick prevention this summer.

One of the best ways to fight off mosquito and tick bites and subsequent disease transmission is to apply insect repellent before going outside. Yet, many people don’t make it a priority to protect against these biting pests by taking this simple action. And those who do may not realize that there is a correct way to use repellent in order for it to be effective.

To properly apply insect repellent for maximum protection against mosquitoes and ticks, follow this five-step method from Certified Termite & Pest Control:

1. Look for a product containing an active EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon-eucalyptus or IR3535.
2. Read the product label and follow the instructions carefully. If sunscreen is also being worn, repellent should be used over top of sunscreen.
3. Shake the product well. Then, hold it about 6-8 inches away from exposed skin and spray evenly in a sweeping motion.
4. Spray the palms of hands to apply the repellent to the face and ears, being sure to avoid eye and nostril contact.
5. Apply the repellent over clothing, which should completely cover feet and ankles.

Another great way to avoid contact with mosquitoes specifically is to remove any standing water around the yard to deter mosquito breeding. Certified Termite & Pest Control can work with a homeowner to help identify these hot spots.

For more information and a free pest control estimate, visit www.certifiedtpc.com

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