Look Out Oklahoma, It’s Officially Mosquito Season!

Many areas have experienced a lot of flooding lately which leads to an abundance of standing water, and with the temperatures getting warmer, it makes for the perfect mosquito breeding conditions. Some mosquito control experts are predicting mosquito infestations to be extremely bad this summer. So, if you have any outdoor events planned in the next few months, it’s important to take the proper precautions to prevent bites and to help control the mosquito population in your area.

Always be on the lookout for standing water in your yard. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water. If the water is circulating or moving, the eggs cannot mature and develop into adult mosquitoes. In general, mosquitoes don’t venture far from where they first hatched. So, if they can’t hatch in your yard, you should have less of a mosquito problem to deal with. Sometimes though, this can be more difficult then it would seem, as mosquitoes will lay their eggs in very small amounts of water. Literally hundreds of eggs can be laid in as little as a bottle cap full of water! Check for hollows and pockets of old rainwater in the ground, gutters that aren’t properly draining, birdbaths or other containers (like barrels, buckets, flowerpots, trashcans, etc.) where water has sat for too long, even children’s toys that have been left outside can collect water. Start by cleaning out these notorious mosquito breeding grounds and make sure everything drains regularly. Here’s a tip: you can drill holes in the bottom of some types of containers to help them drain water.

Mosquitoes are more active during dawn and dusk, so if your outdoor event takes place during these times, be sure to have an insect spray on hand and, if you can, wear long sleeves and pants. Many people recommend a spray that contains DEET, but if you’re looking for something a little less harsh, then try a spray that contains essential oils and herbs known to repel insects. Mosquito netting is another useful idea that will keep these pests away from your guests and netting has the added bonus of keeping the flies off your food. Some types of netting may also be able to add a nice, decorative aesthetic to an outdoor party. There is a wide variety out there of tried-and-true mosquito repellents that you can also use, like citronella torch oil, geraniol candles, and various other things that can be found at most grocery/hardware stores, each with varying levels of effectiveness.   

But really, the best piece of advice we can offer to prepare you for an outdoor event during the middle of mosquito season is to call us. We can pre-treat your yard in the days leading up to the big event. The products we use will eliminate any mosquitoes on contact and provide continuous protection from these problematic pests. So, if you are planning a special outdoor event, reach out to the experts here at Emtec Pest Control to discuss your treatment options.