As the weather warms, all kinds of insects will pop back up on your property. Beneficial pollinators and aphid-eating bugs like ladybugs will make their way out of dormancy to benefit your yard. However, this change also brings the return of harmful insects such as mosquitos and ticks (and as you know, nothing ruins an evening outdoors more than these pests!). Thankfully, you don’t have to let disease-carrying insects take over your Maine lawn and home. Gear up for mosquito and tick season by reading about mosquito and tick control, and how it can save you from irritating bites this summer.
WHAT IS MOSQUITO AND TICK CONTROL?
Mosquito control and tick control are two methods to prevent and eliminate pests from your lawn. Lawn care companies offer chemical spray applications that eradicate existing insects and create an invisible barrier around your lawn, preventing others from wandering in. However, even microscopic insect eggs can become a big bug problem, so early intervention is best! At Northern Turf Management, our applications target insects at every stage of life, from egg to adult. Mosquito and tick control is a proven solution to pest troubles within your home perimeter.
WHY IS MOSQUITO AND TICK CONTROL IMPORTANT?
We all know just how itchy and uncomfortable mosquito bites can be, but that’s not all pest control stops. Mosquito and tick control is essential to protecting your home and family from insect-borne diseases. Illnesses such as West Nile Virus and Zika, spread by mosquitos, and Lyme disease, spread by ticks, are becoming an increasingly common problem in Maine. Pest control is one of the most effective ways to eliminate ticks and mosquitoes from your yard and reduce the chances of coming into contact with carrier insects. So spraying for bugs makes backyard outings more enjoyable and safe for everyone, especially low-walking family members like kids and pets!
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOSQUITO AND TICK CONTROL?
While mosquitoes and ticks are two very different pests, we use the same effective product to eliminate and deter them. However, since mosquitos and ticks have different breeding cycles and habitats, how we tackle a pest problem with the product differs for each species. It’s not the product that’s different. Rather, it’s the tactics we use to combat the little nuisances! So, let’s discuss further how we target mosquitos and ticks in your lawn.
WHERE DOES MOSQUITO AND TICK CONTROL GET SPRAYED ON MY LAWN?
Ticks and mosquitos live in different habitats and have different modes of transportation, so where we spray for each pest changes. Mosquito control is focused all around your lawn in areas with dense vegetation, near water, and shady spots. Since they can fly, they travel quickly and hide in long grass, shrubby places, and under decks. They get creative, so lawn care experts learn to identify which spots in your yard will most attract mosquitos.
On the other hand, ticks travel by their host. Generally, they use small rodents to move around and enter your yard. Since they can’t fly, they stick to low-lying areas such as long grass and lawn areas bordering the woods. There, they wait to jump on their next prey (and we don’t want that to be you or your pups). Due to ticks living on ground level, lawn care specialists spray low, grassy areas, especially near the edge of wooded areas or dense vegetation.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED MOSQUITO AND TICK CONTROL?
The most significant difference between controlling the two insects is frequency. Because mosquitos can fly, it takes 14 to 21 days to really control the mosquito population, unlike ticks which are quicker to handle. Our pest control application creates a residual protection barrier lasting 30 days. With this being said, we recommend spraying regularly in the summer and fall to ensure a consistent barrier against bugs. Of course, it’s always best to have a local lawn care specialist come out and take a look at your property for detailed advice.
WHEN SHOULD I GET MOSQUITO AND TICK CONTROL?
It would be best to determine when to get pest control based on your pest’s active season. For example, mosquito season in Maine starts in late April and only gets worse into the summer. Then, activity reduces in September as the weather cools and we transition into fall. Ticks have a longer active period over the course of a year. For example, the deer tick, infamous for spreading Lyme disease, has active young from May to July. However, adults are also active from October to December and again from April to June. So often, we can’t get a break from these menaces!
Applying based on the climate is an equally important part of mosquito and tick control. For example, mosquitos begin appearing when temperatures reach 50℉ and will reproduce quickly at 80℉. Meanwhile, ticks are less picky and most active in the spring, summer, and fall when the temperature is between 45℉ and 85℉. Thankfully, the weather, including heavy rain, has little effect on the effectiveness of pest control applications. So don’t worry if it happens to pour after your treatment.
Considering both season and climate when thinking about mosquito and tick control will help you determine when to spray. Of course, the best way to come to a solid conclusion is to seek out the help of a local lawn care expert. Since we’re officially rolling into pest season, we highly recommend jumping on early pest control. It will make pest prevention less stressful and more manageable for the rest of the year.
KICK INSECTS TO THE CURB WITH NORTHERN TURF MANAGEMENT PEST CONTROL SERVICES.
Without pest control, your home and family are susceptible to illnesses from mosquitos and ticks. So now is the perfect time to carefully research which pest control applications are right for you. After all, backyard barbeques and playing with your pets just won’t be the same with itchy bug bites. Pest control specialists are licensed to safely and effectively administer pesticides on your lawn, keeping your family healthy and nuisance-free.
Every year, the number of cases of insect-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, increases in Maine. Safeguard your family and pets with mosquito and tick control yard applications before the summer. Please reach our Cyr Plantation & Caribou, Maine team at (207) 544-9420 or contact us here to learn more about our pest control services.