MOSQUITO CONTROL - Page 28 of 34 - SWAT Mosquito Systems®️

Should You Consider DIY Insect Control

Insects, like mosquitos and no-see-ums, can seriously ruin your outdoor spaces, making it nearly impossible to enjoy your backyard. Fortunately, there are plenty of products available in stores to solve these problems. So, if you are facing issues with biting insects, should you consider DIY insect control?

DIY May Not Get You the Best Results

Doing your own mosquito control may seem like a great idea. How hard can it be? Unfortunately, there are a great number of pitfalls to the DIY approach, which is why you should only use a professional insect control service. Here are just a few of the DIY insect control problems you may encounter:

Not Getting to the Root of the Problem

One of the biggest problems with DIY mosquito control is that often, those who try to handle their pest problem fail to actually solve it. Why? Because they don’t have the tools or knowledge to get to the root of the actual problem. Sure, you may be able to kill all of the insects you can actually see, but what about those who are lying hidden? Not only that but if you simply exterminate the insects you see, you may not be dealing with the underlying factors which allow these insects to survive and thrive.

You Make the Problem Worse

Spraying poisonous chemicals may seem like a sure-fire way of getting rid of all of those horrible insects and pests, but you may be doing more harm than good. If your thought process is “if I see an insect I start spraying,” you are taking the wrong approach. By merely spraying chemicals wildly, you could be scattering the insects across a much wider area as they flee the chemicals, making your problem that much more widespread once the pesticides dissipate.

DIY Products Just Aren’t as Effective

Sure, there are tons of products out there to help you kill biting insects, like mosquitos and no-see-ums. Unfortunately, often, these products simply aren’t effective at much other than taking your money. These products may sound great, but unless you have a highly trained and knowledgeable expert helping you, it can extremely difficult to validate these claims. Additionally, do-it-yourselfers cannot apply these chemicals as effectively as a professional, meaning the results just don’t compare.

Get Rid of Insects Once and For All

If you are looking for a long-term, eco-friendly solution to all of your insect problems, contact SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ today. We only use a biodegradable chrysanthemum-based spray for our mosquito repellent systems, as we firmly believe in family-friendly and eco-friendly methods of insect repellant that are just as effective as artificial counterparts.

With our one-of-a-kind mosquito misting system, we have been effectively eliminating mosquitoes, no-see-ums, flies and other pesky insects that bother South Florida residents for years. Give us a call today at 1-866-900-SWAT (7928) to learn what SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ can do for you and your home.

Five Common Mosquito Myths

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).

West Nile and Zika: Is the Threat Over?

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.

Is it a Mosquito or No-See-Um Bite? How to Tell the Difference

No-See-Um (Midge) bites vs Mosquito bites

You might call it the battle of the bugs and their bites. We’re talking about two of the most annoying flying insects: mosquitoes and no-see-ums. You would think by now, the mosquitoes would be gone, but not so fast. It seems that mosquito “season” is year-round. And now pesky no-see-ums have joined forces with them, creating havoc on our outdoor activities. And their bites—oh, their bites. But whose bite is it? SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ has some answers. Check out our guide below that will help you differentiate between gnat (midge) bites vs mosquito bites once and for all.

Mosquito Bites Sting

Sometimes you can feel a mosquito biting you. There will be a stinging sensation. But other times you don’t feel anything at all, and they take off before you get a chance to swat them. It quickly becomes obvious that you’ve been attacked. The bite mark will swell, turn a bit red, and begin to itch, all of which are normal. Fortunately, this lasts just a couple of days, especially if you don’t continue to scratch it. The reaction to a mosquito bite is somewhat more pronounced, for children and people with compromised immune systems. Some people are allergic to bug bites. If you experience flu-like symptoms, be sure to see a doctor, to rule out the possibility of an insect-related infection, because, after all, mosquitoes can carry disease.

Ways to Treat Mosquito Bites

There are a number of options for treating mosquito bites, both traditional and non-traditional. For starters, you can apply ice, wash the area with soap and warm water, apply rubbing alcohol, apply an ice pack, and use over-the-counter pain relievers, topical anti-itch medications, and antihistamines to control pain and itching.

They’re called No-See-Um for Good Reason

No-see-um is a nickname, which fits them perfectly. That’s because they’re so small – only 0.03 inches long. It’s very difficult to see them. Their small size allows them to get through screens on windows, doors – and yes, your lanai. Also referred to as biting gnats or biting midges, they’re actually smaller than fleas. They are bugs that look like mosquitoes, they’re also blood-suckers. Only the females bite, and they also prefer to hang out during early mornings and evenings.

No-See-Um Bites Can Really Hurt

But when turning to their bite – OUCH! Their bite hurts much worse than a mosquito bite, due to their saw-like teeth. Oh, you’ll definitely feel their bite, except you won’t know what’s biting you, because they’re so small. But again, there will be pain. What does a no-see-um bit look like? Pain aside, it could take hours to even days before you’ll notice no-see-um bite symptoms, clusters of red dots, or large red welts on your skin that these biting gnats leave behind. These welts can extend up to 2 inches in diameter.

Ways to Treat No-See-Um Bites

Treating no-see-um bites is similar to the mosquito protocol: wash the bite area with soap and warm water, apply rubbing alcohol, use over-the-counter products, and by all means, try not to scratch the itch. If it gets worse, see a doctor.

Plan of Attack: Natural Pest Control Products

We can help you lay out a plan of attack for mosquito and no-see-um prevention, with our mosquito control products used in our misting systems. We most commonly use pyrethrum, which is derived from chrysanthemum flowers. It’s among the most widely used botanical mosquito and no-see-um control products. Plus, it’s biodegradable.

We also use Zero-Bite, a botanical insect repellent, and offer rosemary oil-based products, with EcoSmart Botanicals™, which is USDA National Organic Program Compliant. Rosemary, a natural bug repellent has been used for centuries to keep mosquitoes and other pests away.

Our custom-designed mosquito control misting system will keep annoying flying bugs away for a long time. Once installed, you can set our misting system to activate 3 – 4 times a day for anywhere from 20 – 45 seconds.

Call Us and Take Control of Mosquitoes and No-See-Ums

Contact SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ at 1-866-900-SWAT (7928) to schedule an appointment for a free estimate on our mosquito mist system. We have a location near you. We hope you learned something new from our guide. Here’s to staying bug bite-free!