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.

 

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.

no see um vs mosquitoWays 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

no see ums vs mosquito

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!

 

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.

 

For many of us, when searching for a new home, a big beautiful backyard, perhaps with a nice deck, is a priority. Imagine the possibilities: backyard children’s parties and adult dinner parties, gardening, and of course fun in the pool. After all, we live in South Florida, where we can enjoy our backyards, year-round. But annoying mosquitoes and no-see-ums can wreak havoc on the fun if you’re not properly prepared to battle them. SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ can help, starting with sharing with you our “Three Tips for Maintaining Your South Florida Yard.”

Reclaim Your Space from Annoying Mosquitoes and No-See-Ums with a Mosquito Mist System

Back in the day, we had a finite “mosquito season.” But now, all bets are off, and it seems they’re present year-round. There’s a lot you can do to help control the mosquito and no-see-ums population on and around your property.

Get Rid of Any Standing Water

Mosquitoes LOVE standing water and are attracted to it because it’s the perfect breeding spot. This means you should drain standing water from most sources – both natural and human-made, including:

  • Dishes/pet water bowls
  • Tires
  • Clogged gutters
  • Toys
  • Wading/kiddie pools
  • Buckets
  • Pots/saucers
  • Bird baths
  • Bromeliad plants (leaves/rosettes store water)
  • Wading pools

You don’t have to worry about draining your swimming pool if it’s been treated with chlorine, which inhibits larvae growth – and if the water is circulating. Nor do you have to worry as much about a decorative water fountain or waterfall on your property, because of the moving water, which prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs in that body of water. And by the way, there are some natural ingredients, such as cinnamon and vinegar that you can add to your fountain to keep mosquitoes away.

Maintaining Your South Florida Yard and Keeping Landscaping Under Control

Did you know that mosquitoes, like the rest of us, prefer to get out of the harsh sunlight every once-in-awhile? They also like humidity and feast on nectar, so they enjoy hanging out in tall grass, shrubbery, bushes, and foliage. This all points to the need to keep your landscaping and yard in check by doing the following:

Get Professional Mosquito Control: SWAT Mosquito Systems®️

custom-designed, mosquito control misting system will keep mosquitoes and no-see-ums at bay. Once installed, you can set our misting system to activate 3 to 4 times a day for anywhere from 20 to 45 seconds. We recommend misting during the evening and nighttime hours when mosquitoes are most active.

Our SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ kills mosquitoes and no-see-ums, naturally, without harming the environment. We make it hard for mosquitoes and no-see-ums, but easy for you. You can turn the system off completely, using the remote control or at the control panel. We’re the largest and most respected mosquito control company in Florida.

Call Us So We Can Get You Started

Contact SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ or call 866-900-SWAT to schedule an appointment for a free estimate on our mosquito mist system, and we’ll help get you started. We have a location near you. We hope our “Three Tips for Maintaining Your South Florida Yard” puts you on track towards living the insect-free life and enjoying your backyard again.