Mosquito populations are expected to emerge early and be big this summer according to the National Pest Management Association’s spring and summer Bug Barometer. Image Credit: NPMA, PestWorld.org
There are natural, organic ways to prevent mosquito and ticks bites including personal repellents and making the yard less inviting.
Huntingdon Valley, PA (PRWEB) June 12, 2017
It's time to wage war on mosquitoes and ticks. But, homeowners don't need to bring out the heavy chemical artillery to control these bloodthirsty pests. Giroud Tree and Lawn's latest blog post shows how to win the mosquito and tick control war naturally by taking action in the yard and with personal repellents.
To safely enjoy the yard without becoming the next meal for hungry ticks and mosquitoes, Giroud Tree and Lawn has pulled together the 10 Best Tips for Natural Mosquito and Tick Control with insights from Mother Earth Living and Mind Body Green.
The first line of defense is Personal Mosquito and Tick Repellents. Basically, people need to be personally less attractive. Not in general, just to the bloodsuckers!
1. Wear light and neutral colored clothing: Mosquitoes are attracted to things that mimic nature like the colors in flowers, foliage or animals. Go for white, khaki or beige.
2. Go Natural: Avoid perfumes or any products that contain fragrances.
3. Keep Cool: Sweat and carbon dioxide from exhaling are mosquito beacons. A fire also puts off carbon dioxide. So, limit candles to citronella and hold off on the fire pits and bonfires until fall.
4. Cover up: Mosquitoes are most attracted to areas where the skin is thinner and the blood vessels are closer to the surface such as the ears, wrists, and ankles. It’s tough in the summer but when near water or woods, wear lightweight, long sleeves, long pants and socks. When walking through high grasses or underbrush, tuck pants into socks to prevent ticks from crawling up the legs.
5. Use Repellents: Of course, DEET and Permethrin are the go-to chemical repellents, but there are natural alternatives. Often sold in health food stores, non-toxic, botanical repellents should be reapplied about every thirty minutes to remain effective. Repellents containing soybean oil protect for about ninety minutes—comparable to DEET. When mosquitoes start landing again, that’s the signal to reapply repellent.
Now that personal repellents are in place, it's time to turn to winning the Mosquito and Tick Control war in the yard. It takes an all-out assault on areas of the yard that attract the bloodsuckers as well as creating a pest repellent barrier.
6. Treat the Hot Spots and Perimeter of the Yard: Giroud’s Organic Mosquito and Tick Control treatments kill the pests on contact and then repel for up to three weeks. Made from essential oils including peppermint and cedar, this natural pest control is safe for children, pets, and pollinators like bees and butterflies.
7. Minimize Standing Water: A mosquito needs water for two stages of its life cycle. Keep rain gutters clear and unclogged. Remove old tires, buckets, plastic covers, or any other container. Empty and change the water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week. Drain temporary pools of water or fill with dirt.
8. Prune or Remove Overgrown Vegetation: Mosquitoes are shade lovers. Eliminate shady habitats in two ways. First, clean up and/or clear overgrown areas. Second, prune trees and shrubs around the lawn edge to let in more sunlight.
9. Use yellow light bulbs in outdoor fixtures. This color isn’t as attractive to bugs.
10. Plant mosquito-repelling plants. These include scented geraniums, lemon thyme, marigold, tansy, citrosa plants, sweet basil and/or sassafras near the home.
Mosquitoes and ticks are a serious threat. But, chemicals aren't the only way to control these bloodsucking pests. Giroud Tree and Lawn recommends preventing mosquito and tick bites naturally with personal repellents as well as organic pest control treatments and other strategies to make the yard a less inviting place.
About Giroud Tree and Lawn
Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, tree removal and lawn care programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal and traditional and 100% organic lawn programs to keep lawns healthy and green. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award® every year since 2005. The “Giroud Treework for Charity” program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company’s service area. For more information, visit the company website at https://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.
