No-See-Ums – SWAT Mosquito Systems®️

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 Repel No-See-Ums and Make Them Disappear

Pesky. Annoying. Nuisance. These are words typically used to describe no-see-ums, those tiny flying insects that bite. And their bites really do sting. Nobody wants to experience no-see-ums bugging them, but it happens a lot, especially in South Florida. It seems there’s no escaping them, especially during no-see-ums peak season in Florida, but there are ways to fight back, and that doesn’t include no-see-um repellants or no-see-um traps (which may not work). Here is how you can repel no-see-ums and make them disappear.

What is a No-See-Um?

No-see-ums, which evolved from a family of biting flies, are also referred to as biting midges, biting gnats, and punkies. These blood-sucking gnats are less than 3 mm long – hence their name. They’re so small that you can barely see them, and unfortunately, their size makes it easy for them to fly through screen doors or windows. Your lanai won’t even give you much protection from no-see-ums. But here’s a tip for spotting them – they travel in swarms, so if you see a “cloud” of itsy-bitsy flying bugs, take precaution.

Do No-See-Ums Spread Diseases Through Their Bites?

No-see-um bites are painful and irritating, and when they bite, they bite you more than once – we’re talking repeatedly. Their bites lead to a burning sensation and are followed by welts on your skin, which can be easily treated with over-the-counter medicines. But can no-see-ums infect you with diseases? Fortunately, unlike some mosquitos, no-see-ums do not carry diseases.

No-See-Ums Are Busy Bodies

When do no-see-ums come out and are most active? No-see-ums love water, and they’re most active at dawn and dusk, although some species are busy during the nighttime. And while no-see-ums’ season is in June and July, they are present year-round. You may have even noticed that they’re pretty active these days. They seem to be everywhere – and they must go away!

What Repels No See Ums?

So – how do you repel no-see-ums? Short answer – the best mosquito misting system – SWAT Mosquito Systems®️. Studies show that some oils help repel mosquitos and no-see-ums. One of them is pyrethrum, a biodegradable repellent derived from the chrysanthemum flower, which is what we use in our one-of-a-kind custom-designed misting system. We leverage a variety of other powerful botanical products to repel biting insects. We designed our state-of-the-art misting system and its contents to ensure it doesn’t harm your landscape or family but effectively keeps mosquitos and no-see-ums away.

Let Us Help You Get Rid of No-See-Ums

Keep mosquitoes and no-see-ums out of your yard with our mosquito misting system, which works around the clock to keep these annoying biting insects away and ensure you can enjoy the outdoors without interruption. Call SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ at 1-866-900-7928 and find out how our licensed technicians can help you get rid of your yard of no-see-ums and mosquitos.

How to Protect Your Dog from Ticks & Fleas Outdoors

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.