Category: MOSQUITO CONTROL

What Happens to Mosquitoes in The Winter?

There’s a common misconception that mosquitoes die out once winter comes around. Although you definitely see fewer mosquitoes buzzing around after it gets too cold, it doesn’t mean that the threat has dissipated. On the contrary, many of them set themselves up to come back even harder once it gets warm again. The experts at SWAT Mosquito Systems Fort Myers and Naples are here to teach you what mosquitoes do during the winter and why now is the best time to act.

How Mosquitoes Hibernate During the Winter

Yes, mosquitoes are capable of hibernating during the winter. Despite how small they are, adult females specifically will burrow themselves into a safer position and hold out until it becomes warm enough to become active again. For reference, any temperature below 50 degrees causes mosquitoes to become too fatigued to move and will trigger their instinct to find a place to settle. The moment it becomes warm enough to snap out of their slumber, adult female mosquitoes will immediately look for a blood source to produce eggs as soon as they can. It’s also worth noting that if any adult mosquitoes find their way into your home during the winter, they will likely stay inside where it’s warm and even lay their eggs indoors where they’ll soon hatch and then you’ll have to deal with a fresh swarm right where you live. For those living in Florida, tropical mosquitoes have a different, more annoying agenda.

The Life Cycle of a Tropical Mosquito

While most of the country only has to deal with regular mosquitoes, Floridians are unfortunate in the fact that they must deal with a particular species native to the tropics. More specifically, the Aedes aegypti acts on different winter habits than your average species. This type of mosquito is incapable of hibernating to survive the colder months, so the adult females make it their main goal to lay their eggs before they die so their spawn can hatch and live on when it gets warmer. The eggs lie in wait in standing water and thaw out as the water gets warmer. The eggs turn into larvae which turn into pupa before becoming full adults. It’s important to note the different behavioral patterns during the winter, but it’s especially crucial to know that this species is more likely to carry all of the diseases that locals are worried about such as Zika, West Nile, and dengue. This is why you shouldn’t give up on mosquito control just because you don’t see them flying around during the winter.

The Mosquito Life Cycle

Eggs hatch into larvae after 24-48 hours

A larva evolves into a pupa in 7-10 days

The pupa finally turns into a full adult

Ending the Cycle with Misting Solutions

What is the best way to eliminate mosquitoes during the winter? The fine mist that is produced by mosquito misting systems is still effective in cold and moist weather. Also, the misting solution is designed to target eggs and larvae along with fully-grown adult mosquitoes. And since you don’t need to get out into the cold to manually distribute the solution yourself thanks to automatic misting technology, this is the perfect method for actively getting rid of mosquitoes during the winter and the results will carry on to spring and summer.

Consult the Experts at SWAT Mosquito Systems!

For an effective mosquito misting solution that’s been proven to work during the winter and continues to provide relief in the spring and summer, SWAT Mosquito Systems Fort Myers and Naples is the best company to receive your automated mosquito misting system! Call (954) 437-1815 for more information about our products and to receive a free estimate.

Can Mosquitoes Harm My Dog or Pet?

As humans, we usually put ourselves first when it comes to protection from mosquitoes. But did you know that your pets are at risk of mosquito bites, too? Animals can contract deadly mosquito-borne diseases just like we can, and SWAT Mosquito Systems Orlando is here to educate you on what you can do to shelter your precious furry friends from mosquito-related dangers.

Why Mosquitoes Bite Animals

You may be wondering why a mosquito would bite an animal in the first place. After all, aren’t they attracted to human skin? Although our naked skin is a common target because it’s easily accessible, mosquitoes are actually attracted to carbon dioxide. Since pets also breathe out carbon dioxide just like we do, some mosquitoes will gravitate to them and find a spot to bite. These occurrences aren’t as common, but they can still happen and the result could become dire.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases That Affect Pets

There are a number of things that can happen should your pet become the target of a mosquito bite. If you’re lucky, your pet will just exhibit minor discomfort for a short while and nothing more. However, it’s very likely for your furry friend to develop a deadly disease that may call for immediate attention, such as:

  • This is the most common disease among pets and it involves larvae growing inside of their body and in turn clogging up pathways to vital organs that can result in death.
  • West Nile Virus. Although more common in humans than pets, animals can still experience fever-like symptoms that can make them feel uncomfortable and fatigued.
  • This disease is able to be transferred from animals to humans and it directly affects the brain.

If you suspect that your pet has any of these diseases, the best thing you can do is contact your local vet as soon as you can. Otherwise, it pays to be proactive in making sure that your pet doesn’t experience mosquito bites in the first place.

Ways to Protect Your Pets from Mosquitoes

Since heartworms are the most common (and the most deadly) of all the possible diseases that your pet can catch from mosquitoes, one of the best things you can do is get them started on a monthly heartworm medication treatment. On top of that, you can keep your pets inside during peak mosquito hours such as in the morning or evening when the temperature is cool enough for the pesky bugs to occupy the open space without getting dehydrated. You can also deter mosquitoes from sticking around your yard in the first place by keeping an eye out for sources of standing water and investing in an effective mosquito repellent.

If you’re interested in a mosquito repellent that works, an automated misting system is a smart way to go. The solution is all-natural which makes it safer for animals to be around, and the fact that the system works automatically means that you can protect your pets without needing to put in any extra work yourself.

Where to Get Mosquito Misting Solutions in Orlando

Looking to protect your pets from mosquito-borne diseases in the safest way possible? Call SWAT Mosquito Systems Orlando today at (954) 437-1815 for more information on our top-quality mosquito misting solutions and a free quote!

Professional vs DIY Mosquito Control

You may be tempted to rush over to your local store and grab a do-it-yourself mosquito control product that promises to get rid of your bug problem fast, but is that really your best option? The experts at SWAT Mosquito Systems West Palm Beach are here to compare DIY mosquito control and professional mosquito services.

Expert Knowledge Makes a Difference

When you buy a store-bought mosquito solution, you might end up guessing where to spray it around your yard. Even if you follow the recommendations on the packaging, each home has a distinct environment, and the areas you treat actually matter. Unless it’s your profession, you’re not expected to know how to accurately inspect your yard. This is where professional mosquito services are at a great advantage. Someone who is trained and educated in knowing where mosquitoes thrive, and breed will be able to find the best places in your yard for optimal mosquito treatment.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Most store-bought mosquito control products require you to reapply the solution very frequently. You could find yourself gearing up every few days or even hours to spray more. Next thing you know, you’ve unknowingly signed up for a part-time job treating mosquitoes around your property. No one wants to spend their free time chasing bugs which is why it’s better to hire a professional who can program an automated mosquito misting system to go off at certain times of the day without you needing to put in a second thought.

Comparing Solution Quality and Effectiveness

DIY mosquito products tend to advertise big promises on their labels, but how well can they keep up those claims? Many homeowners who buy different store-bought products get caught in a trial-and-error loop trying to figure out which brands seem to be good at what they claim to do. Many of them fail to deliver. Professional mosquito misting systems, on the other hand, have already been proven to work which frees you from much of the guessing as you’re guaranteed to see results.

Which One Actually Costs More?

At first glance, you may believe that DIY mosquito control is cheaper. While that’s technically true, many people don’t consider the fact that the cheaper bottle of solution will only last a few uses before you need to run back to the store to buy more. After a while, all those individual sales stack up. When you look into a professional mosquito misting system, you can get quality treatment at a one-time cost. There is the occasional refill, but you won’t need that nearly as often as replacing store-bought products. Mosquito misting systems are a worthy investment just from this benefit alone.

Get Professional Mosquito Control In Florida

When comparing professional and DIY mosquito control side-by-side, the decision is obvious. Mosquito misting solutions will save you time and money, and there’s no doubt that you’ll see better results. So don’t delay, call SWAT Mosquito Systems West Palm Beach today at (954) 437-1815 to get started with a free quote!

What Diseases Do Mosquitoes in Florida Carry?

Mosquito-borne illnesses, also known as arboviruses, are a big problem in Florida. While people in most other states will simply get a little itchy before the bite goes away on its own, Floridians have much more to worry about with more debilitating symptoms, some of which can be deadly. SWAT Mosquito Systems Tampa wants you to stay informed on what to look out for and how to protect yourself.

West Nile Virus

The West Nile Virus is one of the more commonly-known diseases. While it’s possible for some people to have it without even knowing due to a lack of symptoms, those with a weaker immune system will have a much harder time with fever-like problems including headaches, nausea, rashes, and stiffness in the neck. In worse cases, you can experience a loss of vision, a sense of disorientation, and random bouts of shaking. Examples of people with weaker immune systems include children and seniors. If you are a parent with one or more children, or you’re more on the elderly side, it’s best to seek protection from mosquito bites to avoid this disease.

Chikungunya Virus

The Chikungunya Virus is another common mosquito-borne illness in Florida. One of the most inconvenient things about this variant is the fact that it can take up to a week after getting bitten to actually start seeing the symptoms. After finding out that you have contracted the Chikungunya Virus, your only option is to wait it out since there is no cure, and it can take full months for the symptoms to fully pass. Symptoms include aches and pains in the joints and muscles, headaches, rashes, and a fever. Even if you manage to prevent one mosquito bite, that could have been the one to instigate many months of pain and discomfort.

Encephalitis

There are many types of Encephalitis with Eastern Equine Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis being among the most common in Florida. Although those are the most common types, Encephalitis in general is rather rare but is still very deadly if contracted. A few days after getting bitten by an infected mosquito, one can experience lethargy, confusion, and a high fever. More specifically, Encephalitis can cause your brain to swell up to the point of damaging your nervous system. In that case, preventing mosquito bites can quite literally save your life.

Zika Virus

Another concern regarding mosquito-borne illnesses is that of the Zika Virus. The Zika virus is similar to other diseases in the fact that symptoms include fever, headaches, rashes, and pain around the muscles and joints. It can also take several days for it to pass, but there’s another problem to worry about when it comes to this particular disease. Contracting the Zika Virus during pregnancy can lead to birth defects such as being born with a smaller-than-average head resulting in a smaller, less-developed brain. If you’re pregnant, this is a very good reason to look into mosquito control.

Help Prevent Mosquito-Borne Illnesses with Mosquito Misting Systems

To prevent mosquito-borne diseases, many Floridians will take active measures such as draining any sources of standing water, wearing clothes that cover their skin, and investing in different forms of bug control. However, many bug control methods have been known to be ineffective, so what can you do?

The products at SWAT Mosquito Systems Tampa are of the highest quality and have been proven to be effective against mosquitoes in preventing mosquito-borne illnesses. Call our experts today at (954) 437-1815 for more information on our services and to receive a free estimate!