MOSQUITO CONTROL - Page 25 of 34 - SWAT Mosquito Systems®️

What Types of Diseases are Spread by Mosquito Bites?

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s the start of mosquito season. This is a reminder that their bites can be dangerous and transmit diseases. Yes, mosquito bites can make you sick. Mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent around the globe, but here in Florida, the most common mosquito-borne diseases that can be transmitted to humans are West Nile Virus disease, Zika Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and St. Louis Encephalitis. People over the age of 50 are most at risk for diseases. You need to go after the source – the mosquito. The best way to get rid of mosquitos and other biting insects that spread disease is with a customized mosquito misting system.

West Nile Virus

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in its findings for 2018, Florida is one of 49 states and the District of Columbia that reported West Nile infections in people, birds or mosquitos last year. Most people don’t develop any symptoms, while others will experience headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, or severe symptoms that affect the central nervous system. There are no vaccines or special antiviral treatments available.

Types of Diseases

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare mosquito-borne illness that occurs mostly in eastern or Gulf Coast states. Florida has reported an increase in the number of EEE cases. Mosquitos can also transmit the disease to horses and humans. Some symptoms include high fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, and sore throat. The illness, which causes swelling of the brain, kills 30 percent of its victims. Survivors typically suffer from ongoing neurological problems.

Zika Virus

The Zika virus arrived in the United States in 2016. Symptoms, which appear in only 1 in 5 cases, include fever, rash, muscle pain, and redness in the whites of your eyes. It has been linked to serious birth defects. There is no vaccine to prevent Zika, nor can it be treated with medicine. There is no cure.

St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE)

St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) was first recognized in Illinois in 1932, but quickly became an epidemic in St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri one year later. Symptoms usually don’t appear until about 5 to 15 days after an infected mosquito has bitten you. Those symptoms can include fever with headache and meningitis. Besides treating the symptoms, as of now, there is no official treatment for SLE.

Take Preventive Steps

There are preventive steps you can personally take to protect yourself and your family from getting diseases borne by mosquitos. We all know it gets really hot in South Florida, but when outside, consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. The same goes for your children, cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting. To keep mosquitos out of your home, repair any torn screens on doors, windows, or the lanai. Get rid of any standing water on your property which is a prime breeding ground for mosquitos. They can easily lay eggs in buckets, flower pots, kiddie pools, toys, trash containers – anything that holds water. They don’t need a lot of water to breed.

SWAT’s Mosquito Misting System Will Get Rid of Mosquitos

Perhaps the best move you can make for the ultimate protection against mosquitos is to get our unique, customized mosquito misting system installed on your property. For our mist, we use a variety of powerful botanical products, including pyrethrum, a biodegradable repellent derived from the chrysanthemum flower, along with rosemary, which repels insects. Our system will get rid of mosquitos, no-see-ums, and other biting insects that may spread disease. Call the best – SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ at (866) 900-7928 and learn how you can protect your family and enjoy your outdoor space.

Nine Patio Design Ideas to Consider This Spring

Fortunately, living in South Florida affords you the opportunity to enjoy your patio and backyard throughout the year. But with spring around the corner and summer not too far away, you might be thinking of more outdoor dinner parties, backyard barbeques, and other social events. It might be time for you to upgrade your outdoor décor, making your patio area both beautiful and functional. Here are some patio ideas to enhance your space while keeping mosquitos and no-see-ums at bay.

Create a Unique Landscaping Design

The perfect landscaping around the patio and backyard can be breathtaking. Beautifully shaped bushes and shrubbery can give new life to any patio. Don’t forget to make natural bug-repellant plants – such as rosemary – part of your landscaping plans. But the best way to get rid of mosquitos and no-see-ums is with a mosquito misting system.

Upgrade Your Patio Furniture

When is the last time you bought new furniture for your patio? There are so many more seating options available. Plus, newer furniture will likely be more weather-resistant than what you currently have. Happy shopping!

Build an Outdoor Kitchen

Imagine having an outdoor kitchen complete with a stove/grill, sink, and a refrigerator. How convenient is that? No more running back and forth into the house which lets bugs in. Everything you need is right there.

While you’re building your outdoor kitchen, why not add a bar? Make it complete with a sleek counter, and decorative high stools.

Upgrade Your Screens

It may be time for you to upgrade the screens on your windows, doors, and on your lanai for added protection against small bugs. Those annoying no-see-ums and gnats can easily fit through most screens. Newer screens with tighter weaves can help.

Cover Your Patio with a Tent

If you’re planning to host a special event, consider renting or buying a tent that would cover your entire patio. Think of it as an extension of your lanai.

Use Functional Décor to Keep Bugs Away

Products such as floating citronella candles and small decorative pots of fresh herbs such as sweet basil can help keep bugs away. But to get rid of insects altogether, consider using a mosquito misting system.

Install a Unique Lighting System

Think about updating the lighting around your landscaping. Innovative, energy-efficient landscape lighting systems can help save you money, and enhance the look of your patio area.

Install a Trellis as a Makeshift Roof

To add flair and ambiance to your patio dining area, consider building a trellis overhead to create an airy “roof”. Add lighting to it and adorn the area with plants and perhaps even a small tree to create an intimate outdoor dining space.

Install the Best Customized Mosquito Misting System

This is our favorite idea because when it comes to targeting mosquitos and no-see-ums, SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ works! The patio is not only a great place to entertain, but to also unwind after a stressful day. Don’t let bugs stress you even more. We can get rid of mosquitos on your property.

Get Your Patio Ready for Spring

Incorporating outdoor design trends into your decorating plans can be fun and can upgrade the value of your home – so can a customized mosquito misting system. Contact us for a free estimate. Contact us at (866) 900-SWAT (7928). Let us help you protect your beautiful outdoor oasis.

Five Yard Spring Cleaning Hacks

This is the time of year when many people start thinking about spring cleaning and how they’re going to de-clutter their home. Spring cleaning is a great way to freshen up your place, but don’t forget about cleaning the outside of your home – your backyard and other outdoor spaces. Mosquito season is not that far away. We want to help you out, in case you’re looking for backyard cleaning ideas to help reduce the risk of mosquito infestations. Here are five spring cleaning hacks for your home, and they do not include using harsh chemicals.

Hack #1: Block Mosquitoes’ Entryway into Your Home

One of the ways that mosquitoes enter the home is through broken windows, door screens, and of course screens on the lanai. This is a simple solution: repair or replace any problematic windows or screens. Problem solved.

Hack #2: Declutter Your Backyard

Unfortunately, sometimes the backyard becomes a place to store items that we no longer want, need, or even use. Despite our efforts to beautify them, our yards can still look messy. It’s time to remove your backyard debris. Look around and throw out any old appliances, pieces of wood, tires, old outdoor furniture, fallen branches, and any other items that are cluttering your backyard space. Many of these items make great hiding places for mosquitos.

Hack #3: Eliminate Standing Water

Mosquitos love standing water which is where they lay their eggs. Even the smallest puddle will invite mosquitos. Eliminate any standing water on your property, which can be found in many places, including clogged gutters, bird baths, wading/kiddie pools, pots/saucers, toys, dishes/pet water bowls, fountains, and buckets. Mosquitos can’t reproduce without water.

Hack #4: Make Landscaping a Priority

A major part of spring cleaning the outside of your home also should include the landscaping. Mosquitos like to hang out in tall grass, shrubbery, bushes, and foliage. Plan to do a major trimming project, and continue to do that on a regular basis, which will help minimize mosquito activity in your back yard.

Hack #5: Use the Best Mosquito Misting System

We can’t share backyard cleaning tips without mentioning our mosquito misting system as the best way to eliminate mosquitos in your backyard and reduce the risk of mosquito infestations.

SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ use rosemary-based and pyrethrum sprays. Our state-of-the-art no-see-um and mosquito misting system is fully automated. It only sprays 2 to 3 times a day for 30 to 50 seconds each. You set the timer for what works best for your schedule.

Talk to Us About Clearing Your Yard of Mosquitos

We look forward to helping you get rid of mosquitos and no-see-ums in your backyard. Call us at (866) 900-7928 for a free estimate. Let’s make that a part of your spring cleaning goals.

How To Tell If You’re Allergic To Bug Bites

Nobody likes getting stung by bees, or bitten by mosquitos, but for those allergic, the experience can be more than just unpleasant, it can be deadly. Here are some tips to help you determine if you are allergic to bug bites.

There are Three Basic Types Of Reactions To Bug Bites

A normal reaction sets off pain, swelling, and redness around the sting site.
A large local reaction causes swelling that extends beyond the sting site. For example, a person stung on the ankle may have swelling of the entire leg. While it often looks alarming, it’s usually no more serious than a normal reaction. Large local reactions peak at about 48 hours and then gradually get better over 5 to 10 days.
The most serious reaction is an allergic one. If you have an allergic reaction to a bug bite, you’ll need to get it treated right away.

Symptoms of Insect Sting Allergies

A mild allergic reaction may cause one or more of these symptoms at the site of the sting:

Pain
Redness
Pimple-like spots
Mild to moderate swelling
Warmth
Itching

Severe allergic reactions (also called an anaphylactic reaction) are not that common. But when they happen, they’re medical emergencies. Symptoms can include:

Trouble breathing
Hives that appear as a red, itchy rash and spread to areas beyond the sting
Swelling of the face, throat, or any part of the mouth or tongue
Wheezing or trouble swallowing
Restlessness and anxiety
Rapid pulse
Dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure

If you experience any of these symptoms seek medical attention as soon as possible.

How Common Are Insect Sting Allergies?

About two million Americans have allergies to the venom of stinging bugs. Many of these people are at risk for life-threatening allergic reactions.

Treatment if You’re Not Allergic

First, if you’re stung on the hand, remove any rings from your fingers immediately.

If stung by a bee, the bee usually leaves a sac of venom and a stinger in your skin. Remove the stinger within 30 seconds to avoid receiving more venom. Gently scrape the sac and stinger out with a fingernail or a stiff-edged object like a credit card. Don’t squeeze the sac or pull on the stinger, or more venom will get into you. Wash the stung area with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic.

Apply a soothing ointment, like a hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion, and cover the area with a dry, sterile bandage. If the swelling is a problem, apply an ice pack or cold compress to the area.

Finally, you can also take an over-the-counter oral antihistamine to ease itching, swelling, and hives from bug bites. Don’t give this medication to children under 2 years old or to pregnant women unless your doctor says it’s OK. (If you’re pregnant, it’s best to talk to your doctor before you take any medicine.)

Treatment if You Are Allergic

If you have a severe allergic sting reaction, you’ll need epinephrine, which you can inject yourself before you call 911. Usually, this shot will stop a more severe allergic reaction from happening.

You’ll still need emergency medical care, even if the symptoms seem to stop. You may need to stay overnight at the hospital. If you’ve ever had allergic reactions to an insect sting, you should carry epinephrine with you wherever you go.

If you live in South Florida and are having mosquito or no-see-um problems, contact Swat Mosquito Systems to stop the biting and start enjoying your backyard today with a SWAT mosquito mist system.