Living in Florida – especially South Florida – is something almost everyone who doesn’t live here dreams about. But if you live here you know full well the problems we have with mosquitos and no-see-ums in our outdoor spaces. Here’s SWAT Mosquito Systems®️’ handy South Floridian’s guide to building a new home – including mosquito misting solutions!
Find the Perfect Lot
You’ve got your mindset – this is going to be your little slice of paradise in the South Florida sun. One of the biggest selections you need to make is which plot of land to build on. Lot selection is pivotal to building your ideal home. When it comes to choosing the right lot, there are two main factors which you need to consider: landscaping and price.
Cost
The costs of land are always rising. This is especially true in South Florida, with thousands of people making the move to the Sunshine State every day. A solid rule of thumb is that you never want to spend more than 30 percent of your overall budget on your plot purchase. While you obviously want to keep this percentage as low as possible, going too low can damage the appreciation value of adjacent lots – thus diminishing the investment value of the lot. A good question to ask yourself in this situation is, “Why are they selling this lot so cheaply?”. Maybe, for example, there’s a pig farm or treatment plant nearby.
Landscaping
Landscaping is a critical thing to consider when it comes to choosing the right lot for your home building project. Landscaping entails far more than just how many bushes or palm trees you’ll want. Do you, for example, have any children, or plan to have any children in the future? If so, you may want to avoid a pool, or possibly want to avoid a plot that is on the corner of major roads. The same applies If you have pets. Maybe, for example, you’ll need to place a large fence to help drown out sounds from a nearby highway.
Design the Ideal Home
You’ve chosen your lot, now comes the part where you get to design the home of your dreams. Working with a licensed architect or property developer, you should sit down and discuss what you are looking for, and whether or not it is feasible on your budget or on the chosen lot. It is, however, an exciting time when your imagination can materialize on paper – and soon on the ground!
This, however, does not mean it is not without its mundane logistical concerns. You should always ensure that the home you are designing suits the plot of land on which it is being built. What this means is that the home actually fits on the lot itself and it doesn’t violate any of the local ordinances or county or neighborhood regulations.
You should take care to ensure that the location and shape of the driveway, as well as the location of the pool, or any associated outbuildings, such as pool house, shed, deck, or garage, don’t interfere with the home, utilities, or any other issues. In addition, you should take the location of utilities, such as water and sewer lines, or wells, into consideration, as they may affect your designs or plans.
Make It Your Own
Once your new home is built, it’s time to give it your own personal touches. From the inside to the outside, everything can be personalized to ensure your new home is just right in every way possible.
Interior
Inside your home, there are practically millions of different choices you can make to turn your new house into your new home. From the countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms to lighting fixtures, cabinets, carpeting and more, this is your chance to really put your finishing touches on your project! If you plan on doing some serious designing, make sure to properly budget – and to consult a number of different contractors to ensure you are getting the most bang your for your buck!
Landscaping
Inside is great, but this is South Florida, and outside is where we love to spend our time! One of the best parts about building your own home is creating an outside space that suits your needs perfectly! From the pool of your dreams to a cozy hammock underneath a leafy palm, this is your place to kick back and relax! One thing you need to consider as well, however, is how to maintain this space – including bug control.
Keep Your Yard and 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:
- Trim bushes, tree limbs, etc.
- Mow your lawn regularly
- Make natural repellents, such as mosquito-repelling plants, part of your landscape (citronella, lavender, peppermint, marigolds, catnip, basil, and catnip).
- Consider replacing your outdoor lights with yellow “bug” lights, which flying insects can’t see. We offer many LED landscape lighting options.
A custom-designed, mosquito misting system will keep mosquitoes and no-see-ums at bay. Once installed, you can set our misting system to activate three to four times a day for anywhere from 20 to 45 seconds. It’s also recommended you mist during the evening and nighttime hours when mosquitoes are most active.
Our SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ kills mosquitoes and no-see-ums, 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 SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ Today
Building a new home should be about realizing your ideal space. Don’t let mosquitoes invade your little slice of paradise. If you want to stop worrying about mosquitoes and other biting insects, and start enjoying your own backyard and patio, you can get your very own mosquito misting system set up right away. Call SWAT Mosquito Systems®️ at 1-866-900-SWAT and find out how our licensed technicians can help you today.
