Month: December 2018

There’s no questioning that mosquitos are dangerous insects. When it comes to outdoor entertainment, it sometimes seems like there’s no escaping from their bite. In fact, they are so prevalent, especially in South Florida, that it can become difficult to separate mosquito myth from reality. Today, let’s look at five common myths about mosquitos.

All Mosquitos Carry Diseases

You’ve likely heard this mosquito myth before. The origins of this particular myth are unclear, but it might be that intentions were pure. Specifically, mosquitos can carry some dangerous diseases and getting bitten by one is never something you should brush off. However, not all mosquitos carry diseases, and more times than not a mosquito bite is just going to cause discomfort, not illness. Still, it’s important to protect yourself from mosquitos as their bites can be severe.

Dryer Sheets Make Good Mosquito Repellents

This one is about as plausible as it sounds -not very. Dryer sheets can be great for keeping your linens smelling fresh after a wash, but they don’t really have any impact on insect repellent. Instead, putting out dryer sheets to keep mosquitos away is going to have no real impact. Rather than trying these supposed “life hacks” your best bet is to stick with established mosquito repellents around your home.

Mosquito Predators – Bats and Purple Martins

Another common mosquito myth comes from two flying predators and their effects on population control. Specifically, the purple martin species of bird and the common bat. The myth suggests that both of these species will consume hundreds of mosquitos each hour. Instead, scientific evidence on the subject shows that purple martins are much more indiscriminate feeders. In fact, it’s suggested that mosquitos make up only about three percent of the diet for these birds. Similarly, bats feed more on larger insects, like the dragonfly -which is, coincidentally, a predator of the mosquito.

Electronic Repellents are Most Effective

A relatively new trend in the pest control effort is to use the power of sound waves and other electronic means to repel pests. While this can have an impact on certain pests, electronic mosquito repellents are no more effective than the above-mentioned dryer sheets. In reality, the only effective way to keep mosquitos away is to use a scientifically-formulated insect repellent.

Bug Zapper Will Take Care of Mosquitos

Offering another failed control method, bug zappers will certainly kill their share of insects. However, most of these insects will not be mosquitos. Instead, the most common victims include moths and beetles. Using a bug zapper will likely have no noticeable impact on the number of mosquitos in your yard.

Other Myths about Mosquitos

You’ve likely heard other myths about mosquitos as well. Here at SWAT Mosquito Systems®️, we look to bust these myths and provide you only with the facts. This is why we offer powerful and effective mosquito misting systems to keep biting insects at bay and protect your family from the hassle and threat of mosquitos, no-see-ums, and other outdoor insects. The next time you hear a mosquito myth, remember you know better. And, when you’re ready to protect your home, we’re here to do whatever it takes. Call us at 866-900-SWAT (7928).

For most of the United States, peak mosquito season is over for now, but in South Florida, mosquito season never really ends. This is why you need to be prepared and stay vigilante year-round. The threat of mosquitos and no-see-ums is always there, along with the risk of getting infected by a disease-carrying mosquito. Here in South Florida, we’ve certainly had our share of battling potentially deadly infections – both West Nile virus and Zika. The question becomes: West Nile and Zika: Is the Threat Over?

SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ has answers and how you can help protect yourself and your family.

West Nile Virus in Florida

West Nile Virus is the number one cause of mosquito-borne illnesses diseases in the United States. You can get the virus from the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. Most people infected don’t have symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of December 11, 2018, 49 states and the District of Columbia have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitos.

Zika Virus in Miami

The Zika Virus, which is also mostly transmitted by mosquito bites from one person to another, arrived in the U.S. in 2016. Transmission of the disease was reported in Miami and Brownsville, TX.  Symptoms include rash, joint pain, fever, and redness in the whites of your eye. But like West Nile Virus, most people experience no symptoms at all. Is Zika Over? According to the CDC, 58 Zika virus disease cases have been reported in the U.S., 10 in Florida alone.

Renewed Threats

We all remember how West Nile and Zika dominated headlines a few years ago, in 2016. The summer of 2017 was pretty quiet with only five cases of West Nile virus being reported.  But action picked up this summer (2018), and as of last month, the state reported 19 cases. In the latest case, a mosquito in Miami tested positive for West Nile.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

There are a number of steps you can take towards preventing no-see-um and mosquito bites. You can also take preventative measures in your backyard. We highly recommend using mosquito control systems to fight these annoying biting insects. A mosquito misting system works best as a preventative approach to the spreading of mosquito and insect-borne diseases.

Try Our Custom-Built Misting System

SWAT Mosquito Misting Systems create a mosquito prevention perimeter around your home via a custom-built misting system. You can set the system to activate three to four times a day for anywhere from 20 to 45 seconds. You will definably notice a difference. We guarantee it!

You can clearly see the difference when comparing it to mosquito fogging.

Call Us and Make an Appointment

So, to answer the question “West Nile and Zika: Is the Threat Over?”, our research says – no, far from it, which is why it’s crucial for you to do what you can, to protect yourself and your family. When looking for mosquito control, call SWAT, Florida’s best mosquito control system and make an appointment for a free consultation and estimate. Call us at 866-900-SWAT or schedule an appointment on our website. We look forward to working with you.

We live in South Florida – a moist and humid environment, and that’s almost akin to rolling out the welcome sign for pests – mosquitoes, no-see-ums, ticks, fleas – just to name a few. Ticks and fleas can pose serious problems for our furry friends – our dogs. Like our pets, pests like hanging out in wooded or grassy areas. And so, the battle begins. But not to worry –  SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ is sharing insight on How to Protect Your Dog from Ticks & Fleas Outdoors.

Ticks and fleas are active year-round, and as we just mentioned, they love to hide out in nature: grass, shrubs, weeds, dog parks, our backyards and garden areas – even sandboxes are an ideal location for flea larvae to develop into adults.

Look for Signs of Ticks

Ticks feed by biting an animal, and stay attached, and fasting on blood for several days. They carry diseases and are linked to Lyme disease, a bacterial infection. Signs and symptoms your dog has ticks include:

• Mild to high fever
• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Unexplained scabs
• A lot of head shaking
• Small bump on body
• You find a tick in your home

Look for Signs of Fleas

Fleas are a bit easier to spot on your pet because they’re always moving around or jumping, especially in more severe cases. Other signs and symptoms your dog has fleas include:

• Scratching relentlessly
• Shaking their head often
• Excessive chewing on certain parts of the body
• Hair loss
• Rashes
• You find fleas in your home

If you suspect your pet has fleas or ticks, it’s important to act quickly. Again- thoroughly check your dog and run a flea comb through your dog’s back and legs. We also recommend you use special shampoos, medication, invest in a good flea collar, vacuum your carpets regularly, treat your furniture and bedding, and take your pet in for a veterinarian’s visit.

Protect Your Pets from Mosquitoes Too

While its vital for pet owners to prevent fleas and ticks from attacking their pets, it’s equally as important to protect your 4-legged family members from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes bite cats and dogs in areas with little hair coverage, like their nose and ears. Cats and dogs have the same irritation and itching as humans, but with a risk of more severe consequences. Mosquitoes can spread heartworm, a parasite that causes life-threatening infections in dogs and cats.

Our Misting Symptoms are the Best Outdoor Defense

Pet protection starts outdoors. Consider treating your outdoor surroundings with our misting system – the best outdoor defense against pests – including ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and many more. We do it naturally, and without harming you, your pet, or the environment. A custom-designed, mosquito control misting system will keep ticks and fleas away for a long time. Once installed, you can set our misting system to activate 3 – 4 times a day for anywhere from 20 to 45 seconds.

Our Products Are Effective

We offer a variety of products in our mosquito mist systems including natural botanical products.  Most commonly used is pyrethrum, which is among the most widely-used botanical mosquito control products, is derived from chrysanthemum flowers, and is biodegradable.  We use Zero-Bite, a natural and botanical insect repellent. We also offer a rosemary oil-based product, EcoSmart Botanicals™; it is USDA National Organic Program Compliant. Rosemary has been used for centuries to keep mosquitoes and other pests away.

Call Us and Get Started

Contact SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ at 866-900-SWAT (7828) and schedule an appointment for a free estimate on our mosquito mist system. We have a location near you. We hope our “How to Protect Your Dog from Ticks & Fleas Outdoors” helps your furry 4-legged friends live flea and tick-free. They’ll love you even more for it– if that’s even possible.