Fight the Bite: How to Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes

Summer is in full swing! The pools are open and the grills are hot. Did you know you could be creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes in your yard? These pesky insects are more than just a nuisance. Mosquitoes carry and spread diseases like the West Nile virus and Zika. Keeping your home and yard mosquito free is key to keeping you and your family safe. 

Water is essential to their life cycle; so eliminating these sources will eliminate their offspring. Take a look around your yard. Are there puddles, or standing water? If so, drain them immediately. This includes toys filled with rain water, bird baths, clogged gutters, and a leaky hose. 

In addition to water, mosquitoes are also attracted to dark clothing. If you plan on spending time outside, try to wear light colored, and loose fitting clothing. This will decrease your chances of being bit through your clothes. While wearing long sleeves and pants during the day is not always practical in our New York summer, you should try to cover as much of your skin as possible. 

If any skin is exposed, applying mosquito repellent that contains DEET is your best defense. What exactly is DEET? DEET was originally created for use by the U.S military. It repels a number of biting insects when applied to your skin or clothing. DEET protects us not by killing mosquitoes, but by preventing them from ever landing on us in the first place. 

Safe, effective, and sustained mosquito control is essential to keeping our communities safe. Contact the Knockout professionals to schedule routine maintenance for your home and yard.