Month: March 2023

7 Trees And Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

For those who love tending to their garden but hate dealing with biting bugs like mosquitoes and other insects, there are certain plants that you can grow that act as a natural deterrent. But which species are the most effective? The professionals at SWAT Mosquito Systems Fort Myers and Naples are here with a list of some trees and plants that repel mosquitoes.

1. Citronella

Some plants, like citronella, thrive in warmer climates which makes it an excellent choice for including them in your Florida garden. Citronella is known as a natural bug repellant first and foremost which is why it’s commonly extracted and repurposed for use in mosquito candles and wearable repellants. Lemon balm also contains a lot of citronella, so it works as a great alternative for those who have a preference.

Read more > Are Mosquito Repellant Plants Effective In South Florida?

2. Eucalyptus Trees

On a much larger scale, a fully-grown eucalyptus tree can act as a strong mosquito repellant in so many ways. The bark alone gives off a strong enough scent that many bugs don’t like, but the leaves also contain oils that can be collected and distributed around the home. Eucalyptus trees are also considered pet-friendly since they can fend off fleas and ticks as well as mosquitoes.

3. Lavender

Lavender plants are universally loved for their beauty and other valuable uses. Consuming it or just taking in the aroma, can help calm people in an anxious state or assist with trouble sleeping. A lesser-known quality that lavender has is its ability to deter mosquitoes, flies, and moths. If you leave them in your garden bed, they can also ward off slugs and snails.

4. Catnip

Did you know that catnip is technically a type of mint? Most mint plants are effective in repelling mosquitoes, and catnip is no exception. They are easy to grow and maintain, and your cats are sure to love them!

5. Marigolds

Marigolds are often grown solely for their colorful appearance. Many people who choose to plant them for that reason aren’t even aware of their bug-repelling properties. Other than mosquitoes, marigolds can also fend off certain species of beetles, worms, and flies. You can even pair them with lavender for double the bug repellant while adding an exciting color combination to your yard!

6. Rosemary

Rosemary, along with other strong-smelling herbs like basil, sage, and peppermint, may smell wonderful to us but come off as overly pungent to mosquitoes. Whether you grow them in your yard or have a mini herb garden growing in your kitchen, they’re sure to give mosquitoes a hard time.

7. Chrysanthemums

Another plant that is primarily known for its mosquito-repelling qualities, chrysanthemums are arguably the #1 plant that is effective as a means of bug control. While mosquitoes are the main victim when it comes to the pyrethrins found in chrysanthemum plants, they can also deter spiders, roaches, fleas, ants, beetles, ticks, and more. While it’s nice to have these plants around your yard, you can get the most use out of pyrethrum when it is extracted and distributed through a misting system where it can directly target mosquitoes.

Learn more > What Is Pyrethrum and How Effective Is It vs Other Mosquito Repellants?

Get A Natural Misting Solution In Fort Myers and Naples!

It’s always a good idea to get your hands a bit dirty and plant something that you enjoy, but if you’re looking to effectively rid your home of mosquitoes, you’ll have better luck with a mosquito misting solution that evenly distributes natural essences during the most optimal times of the day. For more information on mosquito misting products and to receive a free quote on a custom system, call SWAT Mosquito Systems Fort Myers and Naples today at (954) 437-1815!

How To Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your House And Backyard

Florida’s humid climate can have you desperate for any mosquito-repelling trick you can find. But if you’ve already gone through a lot of trial and error with various sprays, ointments, and anything else that’s sold at your local retail store, you might be trying to think outside of the box for solutions that actually work. The experts at SWAT Mosquito Systems Jacksonville are here to show you some handy tricks for keeping mosquitoes away from your house and backyard!

Keep Up With Regular Yard Work

Believe it or not, mosquitoes love unkept yards. That’s because there are so many small and undisturbed places to hide where they can survive long enough to breed. Next thing you know, you’re sharing a home with a newly hatched family of biting bugs that you could have prevented just by cleaning up the lawn and mowing the grass. Yes, even tall grass provides enough of a safe space for mosquitoes to live comfortably.

Set Up Fans Around Your Property

Mosquitoes may be pesky and persistent, but they’re still weak fliers. While a fancy face-down fan mounted right above your front door is a great way to keep them from making it inside, your average fan can also do the trick. Next time you have a barbeque gathering in your backyard, bring your fan outside and have it pointed to where your guests will be sitting! You’ll see that mosquitoes will have a hard time settling down to acquire their essential blood meal.

Read more > Keep Mosquitoes Away From Your Backyard Grill

Install Screens On Your Doors and Windows

Many window and door screens are effective at keeping any sort of insects outside of your home because the mesh is typically too small for them to squeeze through. As long as you stay proactive in shutting the doors and windows whenever you’re not using them, these screens act as a fantastic barrier.

Grow Plants That Naturally Repel Insects

When cooking with various herbs and spices, you’ve probably noticed that some of them have quite a powerful scent. Many people find the smell of these ingredients delightful or soothing, but any mosquito would strongly disagree with you as they’re not able to handle the intensity of the smells as well as we can. And rather than putting up with it, mosquitoes will simply leave the area to find a new place to invade. For a garden that naturally repels insects, try planting:

  • Rosemary
  • Basil
  • Peppermint
  • Lemongrass
  • Sage
  • Citronella
  • Chrysanthemum

If you don’t have much of a green thumb, no need to worry! Mosquito misting systems just so happen to spray solutions that contain some of these natural ingredients such as rosemary and pyrethrum which comes from the chrysanthemum family.

Prevent Mosquitoes From Breeding

Another effective way of keeping mosquitoes away from your home is to nip their breeding process in the bud. This can be done by removing all instances of stagnant water which they use to lay their eggs, and then kill off the existing adult mosquitoes. This ensures a permanent end to that particular bloodline, and you’re just left with making sure that no new bugs enter your space. A fast and easy way to eliminate the adult mosquitoes in your yard and to keep any outside bugs at bay is to have a mosquito misting system installed to work around the clock for you! You can let the automated system work on its own, or you can control misting sessions manually with the designated smartphone app and provided remote control.

Read more > How Do I Get Rid Of Mosquitoes In My Yard Permanently?

Call the Experts At SWAT Mosquito Systems!

Need help keeping mosquitoes away from your house and backyard? Call SWAT Mosquito Systems Jacksonville today at (954) 437-1815 for more information about our products and services and to receive a free quote!

Orlando Ranked Worst Florida City For Mosquitoes

If you live in Orlando, you may feel unfortunate having to deal with the worst Florida city for mosquitoes. Orlando, along with Miami and Fort Lauderdale, sees more mosquitoes than most other Florida cities for a few reasons. The professionals at SWAT Mosquito Systems Orlando are here to explain why mosquitoes favor these areas and what you can do to protect yourself.

Why Mosquitoes Love Florida

Although Orlando has been ranked the worst Florida city for mosquitoes, you’re bound to run into a few of them in any part of the sunshine state. Florida may be a beautiful place to live in while attracting many tourists, but the wet climate and high population are precisely why mosquitoes thrive in this kind of environment. This is why the state has been officially deemed the worst state for mosquitoes. These flying pests need moisture to breed, and the coastal state gets plenty of it with a humid climate that sees frequent rainfall. Mosquitoes also need a blood meal to survive, and there’s an unlimited supply of it with the many people that occupy the area. When you think about it, places like Orlando are a dream come true for these blood-sucking creatures.

Learn more > What’s The #1 Worst State For Mosquitoes? Florida

What Does This Mean For Orlando Residents?

You’ve likely experienced a mosquito bite at some point in your life and remember the annoying itching sensation that followed. For many states, the inconvenience stops there. Florida, however, is a different case with the many illnesses and diseases roaming about. Because of the special breed of species that plague the area, residents of Orlando (as well as the rest of the state) are at risk of contracting debilitating and even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses. Some of these diseases can put you out of work for weeks with intense pain and can sometimes cause deformities in newborns. Therefore, it’s especially important for the people of Florida to protect themselves.

Learn more > What Diseases Do Mosquitoes In Florida Carry?

Ways to Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes

It can be demoralizing to fear living in your own backyard due to mosquito illnesses being a big possibility. Self-administered bug sprays only last so long, if at all, and wearing long sleeves and pants to cover yourself can be difficult when it’s hot outside. What else is there to do? Mosquito misting solutions are extremely effective against mosquitoes and other types of biting bugs, and you don’t even have to lift a finger to use them! Once you have your misting system professionally installed and programmed to work automatically, all that’s left is to sit back and relax in peace while enjoying your yard. This method has already been proven to work in many Orlando homes, you just need to make sure you find the best in the business.

Get Around-the-Clock Mosquito Control In Orlando!

At SWAT Mosquito Systems Orlando, we offer top-quality misting products with automated systems for easy and effective mosquito control. Our experts will personally evaluate your yard and design a customized system that’s best for you or your money back, guaranteed! Call (954) 437-1815 today to speak with our friendly and helpful team and to get started on a free estimate.

4 Tips For Preparing For Florida’s Mosquito Season In 2023

Everyone knows that mosquito season is just around the corner, but what can you do to prepare? It almost seems like no matter what you do, you’re doomed to be heckled by these pesky biting insects the moment they arrive, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent bites. Today, the experts at SWAT Mosquito Systems Jacksonville are here to show you how to prepare for this coming mosquito season so you can continue to enjoy your time outdoors.

The Goal of Mosquito Season Preparation

Other than the fear of being uncomfortably itchy after getting bitten, there’s a much larger threat to consider. Mosquito prevention is extremely important to your health because of the risk of contracting terrible mosquito-borne diseases and illnesses that could greatly affect your well-being. By taking the necessary steps in preparing for the upcoming mosquito season, you can decrease your chances of contracting:

  • The Zika Virus
  • The West Nile Virus
  • Dengue
  • Chikungunya
  • And more

Learn more > What Diseases Do Mosquitoes In Florida Carry?

1. Remove All Stagnant Water Sources

Some people underestimate the effectiveness of removing standing water sources, but it’s a mosquito’s main method for breeding and reproducing. One inch of water is all they need to lay their eggs so they can hatch in time for mosquito season. Even so much as a bottle cap can supply enough water for them to thrive, and that’s especially bad news for places like Florida where rainfall is frequent. Every so often, take a moment to shake or turn over anything in your yard where water can pool up like lids, tarps, kiddie pools, tires, and so on. Spraying your trees and shrubs with the garden hose can also help since leaves can hold water.

2. Grow Plants That Mosquitoes Hate

One way to deter mosquitoes while growing a beautiful garden is to plant flowers and herbs that mosquitoes can’t exist around comfortably. Some plants like rosemary, lavender, basil, and marigolds give off a scent that is too strong for certain insects which prevents them from sticking around for too long. If you get started on planting now, they can grow large enough in time for spring!

3. Keep Up With Your Yard Work

Mosquitoes are very resilient and will use any space they can to grow their eggs. This includes your grass! Many insects are capable of using tall grass to hide and survive, but the simple act of mowing your lawn can turn an otherwise likable home into a dangerous battleground. And by keeping your yard nice and clean, there will be less mess for bugs to take refuge in.

4. Install A Mosquito Misting System

Perhaps the most efficient way to prepare for mosquito season which requires minimal effort is to have a mosquito misting system installed. With today’s technology, these misting systems can be programmed to go off automatically during optimal times of the day as a way to upkeep mosquito control without you having to put in any work yourself. Some solutions include natural ingredients from the same plants mentioned earlier so you don’t actually have to plant them in your yard if you don’t want to. The mist stays strong in moist environments and it’s lightweight so it lingers in the air where it can directly target flying mosquitoes.

Learn more > Misting Products

Expert Mosquito Misting Installation In Jacksonville

Mosquito misting systems work around the clock to keep mosquitoes out of your yard. After getting it installed, you’ll be all set for the next mosquito season! For expert installation, call the professionals at SWAT Mosquito Systems Jacksonville today at (954) 437-1815 for a free quote.