MOSQUITO CONTROL - Page 31 of 34 - SWAT Mosquito Systems®️

SWAT Systems: Your Go-To Source for No-see-ums Control

Perhaps the only downside of living near the beautiful beaches, swamps, and lakes of Florida are the insects that also call these ecosystems home. Trying to get rid of noseeums or mosquitos can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ is now here to help! While historically the pesky Florida mosquito population has kept us in business, more and more people are reaching out wondering if our natural misting system can help them get rid of noseeums as well. The answer, of course, is yes! Misting for no-see-ums is the same process as misting for mosquitos, and with your new SWAT System, you will soon be able to enjoy a bug-free yard. For those mosquito prevention experts who know less about their more annoying cousins, keep reading to see why no-see-ums control is just as important.

Why Bother Misting for no-see-ums?

Nobody likes getting bit by insects, and while mosquitos are often cited as the most annoying, no-see-ums may be even worse. Although many times smaller than mosquitos, no-see-ums (also known as sand flies) have a stinging bite that will often cause large red welts on the skin. Similar to mosquitos, these welts will itch and irritate. Obviously, that is worth avoiding, and a natural no-see-ums misting system is a foolproof way to get rid of these insects once and for all. It is also worth noting that many of the thousands of species of no-see-ums are small enough to fly through the screens in your windows or doors – ultimately allowing them to work their way inside. By installing a no-see-ums yard spray/misting system outdoors, you can nip this problem in the bud and create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere both inside and outside your Florida home.

Where Should you be Misting for no-see-ums?

Where are no-see-ums found? Despite being a very different insect, no-see-ums share a lot of similarities with mosquitos. Both insects lay their eggs in standing water, so properties close to either fresh or salt water could be breeding grounds for unwanted visitors. No-see-ums in particular will rarely venture further than 400 feet from where they hatched. In other words, homes near water are the perfect place to invest in a natural no-see-ums misting system. No-see-ums can be found in climates across the world (including in the snowy mountains of the Himalaya!), and nearly every corner in the state of Florida provides the ideal habitat for these pesky insects to thrive. As someone who enjoys the beautiful nature of The Sunshine State, no-see-ums control should be a top priority for your big backyard.

Mosquitos often steal the negative publicity in Florida but, truth be told, no-see-ums may be even more obnoxious. Small, swarming, and with a more vicious bite, these little insects can single-handedly wreck an otherwise beautiful evening in your backyard. But all is not lost.

Set up an appointment with SWAT to inquire about our misting systems and to get rid of noseeums and mosquitos today!

SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ on WPTV Channel NBC

This is an exclusive video of Swat Mosquito Systems’ Senior Vice President TV interview shot from backstage.
Since the Zika virus remains an important health concern especially in Florida, Brent explains what our company can do in order to protect yourselves from mosquitos with a 98% efficiency.

You can also take a look at our latest media appearance by going to our media page. don’t miss the last video of the Local 10 News TV piece.

SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ and Outdoor Cooling offers Florida residents the ability to reclaim the outdoors and enjoy their backyards and outdoor spaces.

Declaring war on mosquitoes a priority in South Florida

Mosquitoes are always an irritating nuisance. This year, however, there is a more serious concern: the Zika virus, which experts believe is linked to microcephaly, a serious birth defect. After cases were identified in Florida, Gov. Rick Scott declared a health emergency.

Although all Florida cases so far are believed to have been contracted by people traveling outside the U.S., residents need to prepare themselves, says an online report from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The transmission from mosquito to person could happen any time. “We should remain vigilant and informed,” cautions Jorge Rey, interim director of the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach.

Zika was discovered in 1947 in Africa. Named after the Zika Forest in Uganda, the word means “overgrown” in Luganda, the major language spoken in that country. Although there are 200 species of mosquitoes in the U.S., Zika is thought to be transmitted by just one: the Aedes Aegypti. Zika is not, of course, the only illness carried by mosquitoes. Among others, the bloodsuckers also transmit dengue fever and West Nile virus, as well as heartworm in dogs and equine encephalitis. What can South Floridians do to protect their homes and yards?

Early Concerns

Chalmers Vasquez, operations manager for mosquito control in Miami-Dade County, said his department has received a spike in complaints about mosquitoes in the wake of the news about Zika. Typically, that doesn’t happen until closer to summer. “It’s very unusual at this time of year,” he said.

Lifecycle Is All Wet

The lifecycle of mosquitoes has four stages: the egg, which the female lays in water; the larva or wriggler, which lives in the water but surfaces to breathe air; the pupa or tumbler, which also lives in the water; and the adult mosquito, which emerges after the pupal case splits. To begin the cycle again, the female mosquito will require a meal of blood before she goes off to lay her eggs.

Dry It Out

The common denominator in the mosquito’s development: water. One of the most important things homeowners can do to protect themselves is to get rid of or empty any containers that might hold standing water. “That’s where they breed,” Vasquez said.

The creatures can lay eggs in old tires, children’s toys, ground depressions, rocks, clogged roof gutters, potted plant saucers, and even flowers such as bromeliads. Pet dishes, birdbaths and kiddie pools, which a homeowner may not want to empty, should be changed often. Also, create structural barriers, advises the Environmental Protection Agency’s website. Cover all gaps in walls, doors and windows. Door and window screens should be “bug tight.”

Other Protection

Staying indoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, is a good idea, Vasquez said. Wearing longsleeved shirts and long pants can also help protect against mosquitoes. The insects hunt their prey by detecting chemicals in breath and sweat, so frequent bathing may be a good idea. Some also like the smells of perfumes, so avoid using them outdoors.

The most effective repellents applied to skin are those containing high concentrations of DEET, a chemical that jams the sensors of mosquitoes and confuses them. Follow label directions carefully, especially with children, advises Dr. John Pipoly, Broward County Extension Agent for Urban Horticulture. He himself uses a natural repellent, lemon eucalyptus. Yes, it does work, he maintains. “Most people don’t use enough of it.”

Pipoly advises homeowners against spraying their yards. “Ninety-nine percent of people don’t know what to use, and they use the wrong things,” he said. “There are a lot of beneficial bugs out there.”

Outdoor Misting Systems

For protection that happens automatically, an outdoor misting system may be the answer. More people are investing in these timed-release mosquito control systems, says the EPA’s website. A mister sprays insecticide through nozzles mounted in the lawn or landscaping around the perimeter of a home. “It’s almost like a sprinkler system,” said Steve Jenkins, owner of Miramar-based SWAT Mosquito Systems®️.

Nozzles are set every eight to 10 feet, Jenkins said. Usually, a system is programmed on a timer to go off at sunrise and sunset, when mosquitoes are most active. “It will mist two to four time a day for about 30 seconds at a time,” he said. “The bigger the perimeter you set up, the less likely you are to get a mosquito coming from a neighbor’s yard.”

The insecticide SWAT uses is pyrethrin-based, a substance that occurs naturally in chrysanthemums. The toxicity lasts about 30 minutes. The product is safe for mammals and birds, Jenkins said. It can be toxic to fish, however, so nozzles are kept a minimum of 10 feet away from ponds. The cost: about $3,500 to $4,500 for an average-size lot.

This article originally appeared in the Miami Herald – South Florida Home (Special Real Estate Section) on Saturday, February 27, 2016.

Steve Jenkins and SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ Sends Pests Packing

When Steve Jenkins wanted to find a way to keep his newborn son safe from the dangers of insect bites, he became a man with a mission. Now, his company, SWAT Mosquito Systems®️, takes the sting permanently out of mosquito season in South Florida with a proprietary system that is custom designed for each client’s home or business.

“It’s really important to be able to enjoy the outdoors around your home or workplace without the fear of being bothered by mosquitoes, no-see-ums and biting insects,” says Jenkins, an engineer and president of SWAT Mosquito Systems®️, a licensed pest control company. “Our system is higher quality than other companies in South Florida. And, because we are the largest in the region, we can supply a better and quicker service.” SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ creates a mosquito- free barrier around your business, home, pool and backyard by installing a system of nickel-plated and stainless-steel nozzles in order to kill mosquitoes and other insects. It is a fully automated system that uses a safe, botanical insecticide derived from chrysanthemums, or an equally safe organic alternative made from rosemary oil. Jenkins explains that his team of pest control professionals takes great care to custom design each misting system to be highly effective, but largely unnoticeable. “We’re perfectionists,” he says. “We’re always concerned about how it looks and making sure it is installed correctly.”

Once installed, the system sprays at regular intervals, according to the client’s schedule and needs. Jenkins recommends misting during the evening and nighttime hours, when biting insects are most active. Each SWAT system comes with a comprehensive guarantee and the company’s lifetime warranty covers all parts and labor for full-service customers. “We know the system works,” Jenkins says. “We have a saying: We move in, mosquitoes move out.”

This article originally appeared in The Boca Raton Observer” Special Advertising Section.